(Toronto) Anthony Davis collected 38 points and the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Raptors 131-125 in Toronto on Friday.
Posted at 10:49 p.m.
Davis also contributed 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
LeBron James added 27 points, including going 5-for-8 on three-pointers. He was also responsible for 10 baskets.
Austin Reaves had 20 points, one more than D’Angelo Russell.
Rui Hachimura had nine points including two three-pointers in 30 seconds midway through the fourth quarter. His second long-range shot increased the Lakers cushion to 112-100 and dissipated the threat from the Raptors, who trailed by 25 points at the half.
RJ Barrett scored 33 points for the Raptors, who lost a fourth game in a row. The team’s record slipped to 1-5.
Gradey Dick shined again with a career-high 31 points. This is one point more than his previous mark, which dated Wednesday.
Jakob Poltl had 19 points and Davion Mitchell 10.
Darko Rajakovic had to take three timeouts in the first quarter, which ended with the Lakers in control 43-19.
In the last quarter, Barrett brought his team closer to 104-98, after a basket and a free throw. Hachimura quickly responded with two perfect shots from the corner of the court, dampening the Raptors’ hopes of a comeback.
Los Angeles stayed the course to stop a brief two-game losing streak. The club will complete their stay in the East by playing in Detroit and Memphis on Monday and Wednesday.
The Raptors are notably deprived of Scottie Barnes, whose fractured orbit will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
Toronto was also without Immanuel Quickley (pelvic bone), Bruce Brown (right knee) and Kelly Olynyk (back). The Raptors will play again Saturday night at home, against the Sacramento Kings.
On this occasion, the Raptors will retire the number 15 jersey of their former glory Vince Carter. The latter was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last month.
