Lakers Beat the Raptors 131-125: Luka Doncic Scores 45 Points With 15 Rebounds as Los Angeles Survives Toronto's Late Run
Doncic reached at least 37 points for the fourth straight game and hit eight 3-pointers. Los Angeles still needed him back on the floor in the final minute after a 26-point lead nearly vanished.
Luka Doncic had 45 points, a season-high 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 131-125 on Sunday night in Los Angeles, the Associated Press reported. Doncic hit eight 3-pointers and reached at least 37 points for the fourth consecutive game, increasing his early lead in the NBA scoring race. Austin Reaves added 19 points and Walker Kessler had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 53.8 percent from the floor and 48.6 percent from 3-point range, Reuters reported.
The finish was far tighter than the third quarter promised. Los Angeles led 102-76 with 90 seconds left in the third quarter, but Toronto trimmed the deficit to single digits, and after the Lakers pulled their starters with 1:43 to play, the Raptors' reserves scored 11 points in 40 seconds to cut a 16-point deficit to 125-120, forcing Doncic, Reaves and Kessler back into the game for the final possessions, the AP reported.
Scottie Barnes scored 29 points and RJ Barrett added 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who lost the opener of a four-game road trip and fell to 1-3 since Kawhi Leonard sustained a knee injury, Reuters reported; Leonard missed his fourth straight game. The win moved Los Angeles to 5-2 and answered Friday's road loss at Golden State, in which the Lakers blew a 25-point lead. The Lakers host the Miami Heat on Monday night; the Raptors visit the Clippers the same night.
