Barnes, Raptors all over Lakers early in 114-103 win
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scottie Barnes scored 15 of his 21 factors within the first quarter and the Toronto Raptors held off a late rally by the Los Angeles Lakers for a 114-103 victory Monday evening.
The Raptors led by 24 within the first because the Lakers had been soundly defeated for the second consecutive evening.
“It was an amazing, nice begin,” Toronto coach Nick Nurse mentioned. “After which it was sort of bizarre from there, however it was good to get off to a very good begin like that.”
Gary Trent Jr. had 28 factors and Pascal Siakam scored 27 for Toronto, which has gained 4 straight — all on the highway. Fred VanVleet returned after being held out Saturday at Denver to relaxation his proper knee and completed with 11 factors, seven rebounds and 7 assists.
LeBron James had 30 factors and 9 rebounds for Los Angeles, which has misplaced 4 of 5 — together with 140-111 at Phoenix on Sunday. James was a game-time choice due to soreness in his left knee however ended up enjoying 40 minutes.
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The Raptors piled on early in opposition to the floundering Lakers, scoring the primary 9 factors on the best way to a 33-12 lead after one. Los Angeles was 3 for 25 from the sector and missed all 13 of its 3-pointers within the opening quarter. Avery Bradley had 4 factors and was the one Lakers participant with greater than two within the interval.
“Particularly sort of early on, you get an open shot that everybody just about expects you to make it and also you don’t make it, it’s sort of irritating,” Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker mentioned.
Foul bother was the one factor that slowed Barnes throughout a formidable first half. He scored 17 factors on 8-of-11 capturing in 18 minutes earlier than sitting down together with his third foul.
“I actually simply attempt to run, get these simple baskets,” Barnes mentioned. “I simply got here on the market and was being aggressive, actually simply attempting to get to my spots.”
Los Angeles mounted a late cost within the fourth quarter, pulling inside 109-97 with 2:19 remaining on a 3-pointer by James. Horton-Tucker missed a 3 that might have made the deficit six factors, and Siakam and Trent hit free throws to push Toronto’s lead again to 12.
“It’s virtually like each recreation we put ourselves in a gap. We simply must sort of play constant from the beginning and get on high of groups early,” mentioned Horton-Tucker, who completed with 20 factors.
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Barnes relished his first probability to play in opposition to James. Nonetheless, James despatched the rookie ducking for canopy when he tried to save lots of a possession whereas falling out of bounds. Barnes was caught without warning on the quantity of pressure James was capable of generate so shortly and admitted he was glad to have coated his face.
“I used to be like, ‘Rattling,’” Barnes mentioned.
TIP-INS
Raptors: Chris Boucher had 13 factors off the bench. … Toronto turned 19 offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance factors. … Siakam (11 rebounds) and Treasured Achiuwa (10 factors, 11 rebounds) every had a double-double.
Lakers: Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony every scored 14 factors. … Los Angeles F Wenyen Gabriel grabbed a career-high 9 rebounds, providing good power off the bench. … The Lakers have allowed 100 factors in 16 straight video games. They’re 4-12 in that span.
UP NEXT
Raptors: On the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
Lakers: On the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
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