Raptors' ball-hawking defense tests NBA's best-shooting Lakers

The Toronto Raptors (3-2), owners of the NBA's second-best defense, visit the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2), the league's best-shooting team, at 9 p.m. ET Sunday, with Toronto's turnover pressure the swing factor.

Los Angeles leads the league with a 59.2 effective field goal percentage and a 63.4 true shooting percentage. Toronto allows 102.2 points per 100 possessions, second-fewest.

The Raptors' edge is the ball. They force turnovers on 18.1% of opponents' possessions, most in the league, while the Lakers give it away on 15.5% of theirs, 26th. Luka Doncic commits 5.2 a game by himself.

Toronto also holds an edge on the glass. The Raptors grab 31% of their own misses, fourth in the league, against a Lakers team that ranks 28th in defensive rebounding. The cost comes at the line: Toronto sends opponents there more often than anyone, and Los Angeles draws fouls at the second-highest rate.

Doncic averages 36.2 points and 7.6 assists. Walker Kessler, listed as available, protects the rim with 2.8 blocks a game.

Scottie Barnes leads Toronto with 24 points a game. Immanuel Quickley runs the offense with six assists against 0.8 turnovers, one reason the Raptors rank second in ball security.

Kawhi Leonard is out and expected back Monday, November 23; he averaged seven rebounds and 3.5 steals in his two games. Malachi Smith, who plays 23.9 minutes a game, is also out, as is Nate Bittle.

For the Lakers, Ziaire Williams is questionable after logging 28.4 minutes a game. Adou Thiero is out.

Both teams lost their last game. Toronto fell 121-114 at home to Orlando after beating the Magic 129-99, and the Lakers lost 112-95 at Golden State.

Sportsbooks' prices give the Lakers a 59% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, also has them at 59%, by 2.8 points.