The Toronto Raptors get set to take on the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night inside the crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. They jump it up at 10:30 pm.

Bookmaker has installed the Lakers as a slim - 5-point favorite in this clash between two teams that need to start to pick it up and gather up some wins. 

The Lakers (18-19) have dropped four out of their last five games overall and are suddenly reeling. They are now one game under .500 on the season and they need to turn things around now. They have shown signs of a team that can win some games but at the moment they do not look like they have the makeup of a playoff team at all.

LeBron James has had to carry the load all season long and it will be tough for the veteran to continue at this pace. He needs his teammates to bail him out and produce as well. James is averaging around 26 a game, while Anthony Davis is chipping in with around 25 as well. He is also playing both ends of the floor as well. 

Davis also needs to do a better job of controlling the inside lane and paint. That is when the Lakers can get out and run on rebounds and they can turn fast break points into easy transitional baskets. 

The Raptors (15-21) have not had the type of season they envisioned to start.They have won some games late and they have also been blown out. They are six games under .500 and already 13 1/2 games out of first place in the Atlantic Division. They are a desperate team too, and they need to pick up some wins before the season slips away from them.

On offense, they are led by veteran power forward Pascal Siakam, who is averaging around 22 points per game. Newly acquired shooting guard R.J. Barrett is netting 22 and provides the Raptors with a legit and true ball handler. He was recently traded by the New York Knicks and erupted for a season-high 36 points, six rebounds and six assists and one steal in a solid 36 minutes of action in a wild 133-118 win over Golden State Sunday.

He instantly gives them some much needed balance and depth. 

The Raptors connected on 54% from the floor, including 35% from beyond the arc so far this season. Look for Barrett to push the pace and the tempo and test that Lakers transitional defense. 

The Lakers are 1-4 in their last five games and 2-3 in their last five games against the spread. They are also 9-11 in their road games against the number. The totals have gone over in two out of their last five games and six out of their last 19 games at home. The Raptors are 3-2 in their last five games and 3-2 in their last five games against the spread and a solid 8-9 in their road games against the number.