LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis put on a sensational show, scoring 41 points, 20 of which came in a stunning fourth-quarter performance, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a tight 132-131 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. This win marks the first time the Lakers have strung together consecutive victories since their triumph in the NBA In-Season Tournament in December, bringing their record back to .500 (19-19).
LeBron James contributed significantly with 22 points and 12 assists, helping the Lakers fend off a resilient Raptors team. Despite Toronto’s spirited effort, led by Scottie Barnes’ 26 points and Pascal Siakam’s 25, the absence of their injured starting center Jakob Poeltl proved costly. The Raptors’ recent acquisitions, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, performed admirably, with Barrett scoring 23 points and Quickley adding 21, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Davis’ dominance.
Davis, who also collected 11 rebounds, was nearly flawless from the field (13 for 17) and the free-throw line (13 of 14). His pivotal role in the game’s final moments, including 10 points in the last minute and a key block on Barnes, was crucial for the Lakers’ win.
The Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr. momentarily put them ahead with a 3-pointer late in the game, but Davis responded immediately and continued his scoring spree, aided by Austin Reaves’ free throws. Toronto’s efforts, including late 3-pointers by Dennis Schröder and Trent, kept the game close until the final buzzer.
The Lakers, missing Rui Hachimura due to injury, capitalized on Toronto’s absent Poeltl and Otto Porter Jr. The Raptors struggled without Poeltl’s significant contributions in points, rebounds, and league-leading shooting percentage.
The victory provides a much-needed boost for the Lakers as they strive to build momentum. Meanwhile, the Raptors, despite showing their potential with the integration of Barrett and Quickley, will look to regroup and adjust in Poeltl’s absence.
Next up, the Raptors face the Clippers, while the Lakers host the Phoenix Suns, offering both teams opportunities to solidify their standings and continue their mid-season campaigns.
