Toronoto Raptors (13-3)
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Los Angeles Lakers (3-13)
6:30 PM Pacific
The Lakers and Raptors have for the most part experienced extremely different seasons. After losing four straight, Los Angeles is back into the thick of a battle for the best draft pick. The Raptors have been battling for home court advantage in the playoffs. They will have to continue that quest without their leading scorer, DeMar DeRozan, at least for the foreseeable future. DeRozan is out indefinitely with a torn tendon in his groin.
The teams split the series last season, with the Raptors winning the first 106-94 and the Lakers taking the next one 112-106. Even factoring out DeRozan's offensive production, the Raptors have plenty of firepower against the Lakers. In the two meetings between the teams last season Kyle Lowry averaged 22 points and 8.5 assists and out of nowhere Amir Johnson averaged 22.5 points and 9 rebounds.
Playing with an ineffective Kobe Bryant who was...
Minnesota Timberwolves (3-10)
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Los Angeles Lakers (3-12)
7:30 PM Pacific
The Lakers and Timberwolves face off for the first time this season in a matchup few will mistake for a meeting of juggernauts. Expect the ineptitude to focus on the defensive side of the court. The only NBA team worse defensively than Minnesota is the Lakers. While no other team in the NBA allows more than 107.2 per game, the Wolves are surrendering 109.7 and the Lakers check in at 110.8.
The Wolves have had the Lakers' number lately, and they took three of four last season's series. They did so in spectacular fashion, winning those three games by a combined 69 points. There is, however, good news for Lakers fans. Kevin Love and Kevin Martin combined for 193 points in the series, a ridiculous 48.3 per game. Fortunately for the Lakers Love is in Cleveland and Martin is down with a wrist injury.
That still leaves a few challenges for the Lakers. Ricky Rubio averaged 8 points, 10 assists, and 7...
