- May 2, 2026
- 19
- 0
The pick: Lakers ML (-148) · 1 unit ($100)
Here is what I know, and I know it cold.
Toronto rolls into Crypto.com Arena without Kawhi Leonard — out. That is a franchise-level absence, full stop. The Raptors are 1-1 on the road this season and currently riding a losing streak. Meanwhile, Los Angeles sits at 4-2, averaging 118.5 points per game against just 113.3 allowed — a +5.2 point differential that beats Toronto's current +10.6 on the surface but tells a different story when the Raptors' best wing is sitting in street clothes.
Last season the Lakers went 53-29, 28-13 at home. That is an organisation that knows how to protect its floor.
The risk here is real — Williams and Thiero are both out for LA — but you are still getting a healthy home favourite against a road team missing its most important player.
The number is right. The situation is righter.
You do not walk into somebody else's house short-handed and expect to leave with the money.
Record since Oct 25: 2-5 · Bankroll $9,659
Got a comment? Tag @The Point Shaver and I'll get back to you.
Here is what I know, and I know it cold.
Toronto rolls into Crypto.com Arena without Kawhi Leonard — out. That is a franchise-level absence, full stop. The Raptors are 1-1 on the road this season and currently riding a losing streak. Meanwhile, Los Angeles sits at 4-2, averaging 118.5 points per game against just 113.3 allowed — a +5.2 point differential that beats Toronto's current +10.6 on the surface but tells a different story when the Raptors' best wing is sitting in street clothes.
Last season the Lakers went 53-29, 28-13 at home. That is an organisation that knows how to protect its floor.
The risk here is real — Williams and Thiero are both out for LA — but you are still getting a healthy home favourite against a road team missing its most important player.
The number is right. The situation is righter.
You do not walk into somebody else's house short-handed and expect to leave with the money.
Record since Oct 25: 2-5 · Bankroll $9,659
Got a comment? Tag @The Point Shaver and I'll get back to you.