Sixteen years ago tonight, the two-time defending champions beat Golden State 107-83 at home. On Friday the Lakers led the Warriors by 25 and lost by 17, and on Sunday Doncic brings a 4-2 team home to face Toronto.
The Minneapolis Prologue
The franchise's oldest Halloween on record is a defeat: 91-67 at New York on Oct. 31, 1953. That season ended with George Mikan and John Kundla completing four championships in five years. One bad night in October settled nothing then, and a 4-2 start settles nothing now. These Lakers sit fifth, two games clear of 11th, on a pace that projects to 55-27. The question is whether that pace survives nights like Friday.
Showtime's October Swagger
On Oct. 31, 1985, months after beating Boston in the Finals, the Lakers won 144-107 at Phoenix. That core of Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and Pat Riley grew up under Jerry Buss, who bought the team in 1979 and turned basketball into entertainment. His family's hold is now coming apart in public. Mark Walter agreed on Aug. 12 to sell control to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner for $12.5 billion, and the Los Angeles Times and ESPN reported this week that Walter and Kushner had settled the remaining terms. ESPN's Baxter Holmes reported that Jeanie Buss accused her siblings of "cloak and dagger" tactics. The Showtime franchise was built on a stable owner. This one is being handed over in the middle of a season.
The 2010 Mirror
The Pau Gasol-era Lakers handled Golden State on Halloween 2010. Friday ran the other way. Los Angeles led 38-15 after one quarter, then gave up an 18-0 Warriors run that started late in the third, and lost 112-95. Doncic finished with 37 on 12-of-27 shooting, Austin Reaves committed eight turnovers, and the bench scored seven points. Lakers Nation reported that Doncic conceded the team has to handle blitzes better, and Toronto will show him plenty. An ESPN preview pointed to a 41-point night from Scottie Barnes, and the Raptors arrive at 3-2 without Kawhi Leonard or Nate Bittle, both listed out. Ziaire Williams was upgraded from out on Saturday. Adou Thiero remains out. History hands this team a standard, not an alibi: hold a lead, close the game.
When do the Lakers play the Raptors?
Sunday, Nov. 1, at home. Toronto will be without Kawhi Leonard and Nate Bittle, both listed out.
How did the Lakers lose to the Warriors after leading by 25?
Golden State outscored them over the last three quarters and finished it with an 18-0 run that started late in the third. The final was 112-95 despite 37 points from Doncic.
