Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Preview, TV channel, start time

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Who's Playing

Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Where to Watch

Date: Saturday, Aug. 1

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: Sportsnet ONE (Canada), ESPN (United States)

Location: The Arena (Disney's Wide World of Sports), Orlando, FL

Game Preview

On March 24, the Los Angeles Lakers were set to take on the Raptors in their one and only trip to Toronto this season.

About that...

With the season being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, that trip was postponed. The Raptors and Lakers will instead meet for the second time this season in Orlando in what will be Toronto's first of eight seeding games ahead of the 2020 NBA Playoffs and the second for the Lakers.

In the first meeting between Toronto and Los Angeles this season, the Raptors defeated the Lakers in a 113-104 thriller despite being down two key players in Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka. Pascal Siakam led the way with 24 points, albeit on 9-for-25 shooting from the field, while Fred VanVleet chipped in with 23 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

The Raptors didn't have an answer for Anthony Davis, who went off for 27 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals, but they were able to make life difficult for LeBron James. After James got off to a strong start, the Raptors limited him to four points on 1-for-8 shooting from the field in the second half. It helped the Raptors come back from a double-digit deficit to snap a seven-game winning streak for the Lakers.

Based on the NBA's matchup data, Chris Boucher and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had the most success against James. Now at full strength, it will be interesting to see if Nick Nurse and the Raptors can contain him once again.

Who defended LeBron James (Nov. 10, 2019)
Defender Matchup Minutes Points FG-FGA
Chris Boucher 0:59 2 1-5
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 1:55 2 0-3
Pascal Siakam 1:43 4 2-3
OG Anunoby 4:22 1 0-1
Matt Thomas 0:19 2 1-1
Fred VanVleet 1:22 2 1-1

The Raptors will be using these eight seeding games to regain their rhythm ahead of the playoffs. They'll also be looking to hold on to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, with the Boston Celtics currently trailing them by three games.

The Lakers are comfortably in No. 1 in the Western Conference, but the losses of Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo have opened up opportunities for others, namely Dion Waiters and J.R. Smith. How they play in the eight seeding games could determine whether or not they are a part of the team's rotation in the playoffs.

Injury Report

An injury report will be made available closer to tip.

Game Notes

Last Time They Played

Date: Nov. 10, 2019

Score: Toronto Raptors 113, Los Angeles Lakers 104

Raptors: Pascal Siakam – 24 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST, 3 BLK

Lakers: Anthony Davis — 27 PTS, 8 REB, 4 BLK, 3 AST

Current Standings

Standings as of July 31
  EAST       WEST    
  Team REC GB   Team REC GB
1 x – Milwaukee Bucks 53-12 1 x – Los Angeles Lakers 50-14
2 x – Toronto Raptors 46-18 6.5 2 x – LA Clippers 44-21 6.5
3 x – Boston Celtics 43-21 9.5 3 x – Denver Nuggets 43-22 7.5
4 x – Miami Heat 41-24 12 4 x – Utah Jazz 42-23 8.5
5 x – Indiana Pacers 39-26 14 5 x – Oklahoma City Thunder 40-24 10
6 x – Philadelphia 76ers 39-26 14 6 x – Houston Rockets 40-24 10
7 Brooklyn Nets 30-34 22.5 7 Dallas Mavericks 40-27 11.5
8 Orlando Magic 30-35 23 8 Memphis Grizzlies 32-33 18.5
9 Washington Wizards 24-40 28.5 9 Portland Trail Blazers 29-37 22
        10 Sacramento Kings 28-36 22
        11 New Orleans Pelicans 28-37 22.5
        12 San Antonio Spurs 27-38 22.5
        13 Phoenix Suns 26-39 24.5

x – Clinched Playoffs Berth

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.

Author(s)
Scott Rafferty Photo

Scott Rafferty is a Senior NBA Editor for The Sporting News