Ever since they landed Rudy Gay in a trade, the Toronto Raptors have been on a roll of sort, winning at a pace that would have put them in the playoff hunt. But they'll be facing a desperate team tonight in the Los Angeles Lakers, who made a stirring 25-point comeback to beat the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. This game will be broadcast on TV but you can watch a free live stream of it by clicking here, but please, click on that link at your own risk.

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This is a Lakers squad that smells blood now -- they're only 2.5 games behind the last playoff spot -- and will showcase playoff intensity. With Dwight Howard manning the middle and somewhat closer to his former defensive player of the year form -- he had a huge game-winning block on Robin Lopez Wednesday -- this is a team with an elite one-two punch.

The Raptors are rolling too, with Rudy Gay providing them with the kind of shot-creation they haven't had since Vince Carter left town in 2004. Gay could be facing a tough battle with the Lakers' Metta World Peace though, for the artist formerly known as Ron Artest is a bull of a defender who will push Gay out of his comfort zone.

Another Raptor playing well is Kyle Lowry, whom the team essentially handed the car keys by trading away Jose Calderone. Lowry is averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, numbers below what he averaged last year, but they only tell half the story: Overall, Lowry is just much more responsible on and off the ball, with an improved attention to defense as well. He could give Steve Nash trouble.