Luka Doncic Scores 45 as the Lakers Survive a Late Raptors Scare, 131-125
Los Angeles led Toronto by 26 points and nearly gave it all back. Luka Doncic's 45 points, season-high 15 rebounds and eight 3-pointers carried the Lakers to a 131-125 win on Sunday night - but only after Toronto's reserves scored 11 points in 40 seconds against the Lakers' bench and forced the starters back onto the floor.
LOS ANGELES - Luka Doncic had 45 points, a season-high 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals, and the Los Angeles Lakers finished off a 131-125 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors on Sunday night, the Associated Press reported. Doncic hit eight 3-pointers and has scored at least 37 points in four consecutive games, stretching his early lead in the NBA scoring race.
For most of the night it was a rout. Los Angeles led by as many as 26 points and held a 102-76 edge with 90 seconds left in the third quarter, two days after blowing a 25-point lead in a 17-point loss at Golden State. Austin Reaves added 19 points, Walker Kessler scored 16 with 15 rebounds and three blocked shots, and Collin Sexton added 14 as the Lakers shot 53.8 percent from the floor and 48.6 percent from 3-point range, Reuters reported.
Then the ending wobbled. Toronto trimmed the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter, and when the Lakers emptied their bench with 1:43 to play and a 16-point lead, the Raptors' reserves scored 11 points in 40 seconds to cut it to 125-120 - forcing Doncic, Reaves and Kessler back into the game for the final possessions. Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 29 points and RJ Barrett added 22 points and 10 rebounds; the Raptors, 1-3 since Kawhi Leonard's knee injury, lost the opener of a four-game road trip.
The Lakers improved to 5-2 and 3-1 at home despite 24 turnovers. Toronto fell to 3-3 and continues its trip at the Clippers on Monday night, while Los Angeles hosts Miami next.
