LeBron James and Anthony Davis put on a show in Lakers’ win over Raptors

Lakers forward Anthony Davis goes up for a rebound during a 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Davis finished with 38 points and 12 rebounds. (Mark Blinch / NBAE via Getty Images)

The people here know.

For the 75th time in his NBA career, LeBron James stepped onto a court to face the Toronto Raptors. And before Friday, James’ team had won 56 of them, including a trio of playoff series.

Still, the fans in Toronto always enjoy James’ annual appearance in Canada, cheering each time as he enters the game — only to watch him leave town with another win.

Friday, it was a 14-point first quarter to set the tone, James casually bullying a young Toronto team early before the Lakers hung on to win 131-125.

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Before the game, James bounced in the locker room, the illness that slowed him over the past week mostly out of his system. He arrived at the arena wearing the Ghostface mask from “Scream” and wasted little time terrorizing the Raptors though Halloween was a day earlier.

Coming off of their first two losses of the season, James and the Lakers recommitted to a lot of the principles coach JJ Redick has tried to instill in them early this season.

Stagnant against Cleveland on Wednesday, the Lakers opened Friday’s game with pace and precision and quickly ran out to a 21-point lead, Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic angrily calling timeouts every few possessions.

But while the Lakers led by 25 at halftime, the Raptors were far from through, climbing back into the game and getting within single digits multiple times in the second half.

But James’ play-making — he had 27 points and 10 assists — combined with big shots from Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell and a return to form for Anthony Davis all kept the Raptors from ever pushing in front.

Gradey Dick scored 31 points and had a look to cut it to three with less than a minute, but the shot rimmed out. RJ Barrett scored 33 to lead the Raptors, with Toronto playing without starters Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley.

Davis made a pair of free throws to ice the Lakers’ fourth win of the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lebron-james-anthony-davis-put-022128563.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-11-02 02:21:00

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