The Lakers built a 26-point lead against Toronto and needed all of it. Luka Doncic scored 45 and sank his last two free throws with six seconds left to turn back a late Raptors charge, 131-125.
Built in Two Quarters
Los Angeles took the game early. The Lakers opened with a 10-0 run, then added an 8-0 burst late in the first quarter to lead 36-23. A 9-0 run late in the second pushed the margin to 14 at the half, 66-54. By the end of the third it was 104-82. Doncic carried it: 12 of 23 from the field, 8 of 12 from three, 13 of 13 at the line, five steals. He also had seven turnovers. His plus-minus of +27 was the best on the floor.
The Fourth Quarter Scare
Toronto won the final period 43-27. Jamison Battle scored 15 of his 20 in it, and the Raptors ran off a 9-0 stretch that cut a 109-91 deficit to 109-100. Another 8-0 run made it 124-117 with under a minute left. Doncic answered with free throws, then added two more after a foul with six seconds left. Battle's dunk with one second left only set the final score. The Lakers closed with Reaves, Doncic, Thybulle, Grimes and Kessler on the floor.
Grades and Tilt
Doncic gets an A: 45 points, 15 rebounds, no missed free throw. Walker Kessler earns an A-minus for 16 points and 15 rebounds on 6-of-6 shooting, with three blocks and a +11. Austin Reaves gets a B-minus: 19 points and a +14, but only 6 of 16 from the field. The bench was uneven. Jarred Vanderbilt was a minus-12 in 12 minutes and Collin Sexton a minus-9 in 19, while Sandro Mamukelashvili gave 11 points at +7. The win puts the Lakers at 5-2 and fourth in the West, 2.5 games ahead of 11th place. Miami is next, a 2-4 team with Giannis Antetokounmpo averaging 28.2 points and 12.3 rebounds. Kings and Trail Blazers games follow.
What was the score of the Lakers-Raptors game?
The Lakers beat the Raptors 131-125 on Nov. 1. They led by as many as 26 before Toronto won the fourth quarter 43-27.
How did Luka Doncic play against Toronto?
Doncic scored 45 points with 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals, shooting 8 of 12 from three and 13 of 13 on free throws. He was +27 in 35 minutes.
