Following their recent struggles, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to revive their form with a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Now, as they face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, the Lakers are optimistic that this game could mark a turning point for the team.

The Lakers are fortunate to have a less formidable opponent in the Raptors compared to the Clippers. Toronto, while possessing talent, is currently a middle-of-the-road team that faces challenges, particularly with the recent trade that sent OG Anunoby elsewhere.

The absence of Anunoby makes the Raptors a more manageable adversary for the Lakers. Adding to their advantage, Toronto will be without starting center Jakob Poeltl, sidelined due to an ankle sprain.

While Poeltl may not be a headline player in today’s NBA, he played a crucial role for the Raptors, who invested a first-round pick in acquiring him last season. His absence could significantly impact the Raptors’ effectiveness on the court, especially against the Lakers, who possess a rare advantage in size in today’s league.

The Lakers, with their imposing size, particularly around the rim, are set to exploit the Raptors’ lack of a traditional center. With no viable replacement for Poeltl on the roster, the Raptors will likely struggle to counter the inside presence of the Lakers, particularly against players like Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

As the Lakers face a short-handed Raptors frontcourt, this presents an ideal opportunity for Anthony Davis to showcase his skills and dominate the matchup. The Lakers should strategically run their offense through Davis, capitalizing on his capabilities in the post and leveraging his potential for a high-scoring and impactful performance. This game against the Raptors provides a favorable scenario for Davis to deliver a vintage performance, contributing significantly to a potential Lakers victory.