NBA: LeBron, Westbrook lift Lakers over Raptors in OT
LeBron James #6 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers shake hands during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. Cole Burston/Getty Images/AFP
Avery Bradley hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 32.5 seconds to play in overtime, then added two free throws as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Toronto Raptors 128-123 Friday night.
Russell Westbrook had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Lakers, including the tying 3-pointer to force overtime.
Bradley finished with 14 points and LeBron James led the Lakers with 36 points as they ended a three-game losing streak. They had lost their 11 previous road games.
LeBron and Russ came up clutch in the Lakers win! #LakeShowpic.twitter.com/vWTsJBTPUk
— NBA (@NBA) March 19, 2022
Toronto took the lead with 26.1 seconds to play in regulation on Gary Trent Jr.’s 3-pointer, but Westbrook tied it at 116 with a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left.
Austin Reaves made two free throws to give the Lakers a two-point lead with 1:49 left in overtime. Trent tied it on a layup. Pascal Siakam made one of two foul shots with 51.8 seconds to play, but Bradley made the crucial 3-pointer and, with 12.6 seconds to go in overtime, made two free throws.
Wenyen Gabriel scored 17 points for the Lakers and Reaves had 10.
Scottie Barnes had 31 points and 17 rebounds for the Raptors, who had a five-game win streak end. Trent had 23 points, Fred VanVleet had 20, Precious Achiuwa scored 18 and Siakam 17.
Toronto took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter. The score was tied at 99 on a layup by James with 7:39 to play.
Reaves made a 3-pointer to give L.A. the lead with 6:48 left. Trent tied the game with a layup with 4:15 to go. Barnes made a dunk to put Toronto ahead by two with 3:03 remaining. James answered with a 3-pointer, but Barnes made a layup and a free throw to give Toronto a two-point lead. James tied it with a jumper.
The Lakers led 33-30 after one quarter.
Toronto finished the first half on a 7-0 run to trim the lead to 59-55.
Chris Boucher’s put-back layup gave Toronto an 89-88 lead after three quarters.
The Lakers were without Carmelo Anthony and Wayne Ellington because of non-Covid illness and Talen Horton-Tucker (sprained ankle). The Raptors were without OG Anunoby (broken finger).
