PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Lakers host the Toronto Raptors at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night , setting up a compelling matchup between two teams heading in opposite directions. The Lakers have gone cold lately, dropping five of their last six games , while the Raptors have won seven of their last 11 contests . On the offensive side, Los Angeles excels at efficiently attacking the rim and posting the league's top free throw rate , but Toronto counters with elite passing ranked second and the ability to force turnovers at the fourth-best clip . The underlying weakness for Toronto lies in their low-frequency three-point shooting, ranking 24th, and sluggish pace of play that ranks 25th , factors that could pose problems against a Lakers team that thrives in transition. The Raptors are missing RJ Barrett, Ja'Kobe Walter, and Jakob Poeltl with Jamison Battle and Immanuel Quickley listed as questionable , while the Lakers have ruled out Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, and Jaxson Hayes. Though the Raptors have dealt with injuries, the Lakers are stretched even thinner , creating uncertainty about roster availability heading into tip-off. The Lakers have won each of their last nine Sunday home games , a compelling trend that speaks to their poise on familiar courts. This matchup ultimately hinges on execution and health, with the Raptors presenting themselves as the more consistent team while the Lakers struggle through their second game of a back-to-back set.