The Los Angeles Lakers returned to play on Sunday night, facing the Toronto Raptors in a game that was a rematch from last week, when L.A. managed to hold on for a win.
The Lakers aimed to stay undefeated at home and improve to a 6-4 record early in the season, and they succeeded with a 123-103 victory.
Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura scored the Lakers’ first nine points, while the rest of the starters struggled. The Raptors took advantage and quickly gained a 15-9 lead after a three-point play by R.J. Barrett.
After a timeout called by JJ Redick, Austin Reaves hit a three-pointer, and Davis kept attacking the basket, helping the Lakers cut the lead to one. However, the Lakers struggled to finish the quarter well, and the Raptors ended the first with a 34-26 lead, thanks to a buzzer-beater by Davion Mitchell.
LeBron James had a quiet first quarter but found his rhythm in the second, scoring a couple of baskets, including a three-point play. The Lakers continued to have issues with turnovers and transition defense, forcing Redick to call another timeout when the Raptors took a 10-point lead.
The Lakers needed a strong finish to the half, and they got it when Cam Reddish and D’Angelo Russell hit back-to-back three-pointers, leaving the Lakers just behind 55-53 as they headed to the locker room.
However, the momentum didn’t carry into the third quarter. Gradey Dick hit two three-pointers, and Immanuel Quickley added another, pushing the Raptors’ lead back to nine points.
Reaves responded with five quick points, bringing energy to the team and the crowd. James then made a nice layup, and Davis beat the shot clock with a three-pointer before making a big block on the other end.
Unfortunately, Davis was hit in the face on the block and had to leave for the locker room. He was later ruled out for the rest of the game. Despite his absence, the Lakers continued their strong play. Dalton Knecht hit a corner three to give L.A. the lead, and after Reddish scored a layup at the third-quarter buzzer, the Lakers went into the final period with an 88-82 lead.
The Lakers quickly extended their lead to double digits in the fourth quarter, with LeBron finding Jaxson Hayes for two dunks. From there, James, Reaves, and Hayes took control, running the offense smoothly and sealing the victory without Davis on the floor.
Next, the Lakers will have a couple of days off before hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in another rematch of a recent game.
