NBA: Lakers win for 7th time in 8 games, roll past Raptors
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
TORONTO — LeBron James scored 23 points, Anthony Davis had 21 points and 12 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 128-111 on Tuesday night for their seventh win in eight games in the NBA.
D’Angelo Russell shot 7 for 14 from 3-point range and scored 25 points, Rui Hachimura had 14 and Max Christie 12 as the Lakers handed slumping Toronto a 14th straight loss.
Article continues after this advertisementThe NBA’s career scoring leader, James shot 10 for 12 and had nine assists.
SEVEN threes for DLo 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZFD18iwngw
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 3, 2024
James came in having matched his career high with nine 3-pointers in Sunday’s win at Brooklyn. The 20-time All-Star took just one shot from distance against the Raptors, connecting with 5:22 left in the third quarter.
Article continues after this advertisementDavis sat the entire fourth quarter, while James checked out with 9:22 remaining in the final period after Los Angeles extended its lead to 27, 109-82. The Lakers visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
James said he appreciated the chance to get an early start on his postgame routine.
“It absolutely helps,” he said. “Every minute counts. I was able to get back here and get going on the treatment and my prep, and start preparing my body, hopefully, for tomorrow night.”
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he expected to have both James and Davis available against the Wizards, who beat Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
LBJ ↗️ AD early in Toronto 😤
Lakers-Raptors | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/YqmMWV6Ud9 pic.twitter.com/gWTZkTcOc6— NBA (@NBA) April 2, 2024
“We’ll see how they feel when they wake up in the morning but, in all likelihood, I’m sure they’ll play,” Ham said.
James has scored 20 or more points in five of his past six meetings with Toronto.
“He’s just so elite,” Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said. “It’s amazing to see a player at this age, after 20 years in the NBA, to play at this high a level. We never saw anything like it.”
RJ Barrett scored 28 points and Immanuel Quickley added 20 for the Raptors. Toronto lost a franchise-worst 17 consecutive games in 1997-98.
Toronto’s Gary Trent Jr. sat to rest, while Barrett and Quickley returned after missing time because of personal reasons and reconditioning. The pair combined for 17 points in the first, but the Lakers closed the quarter with an 18-4 spurt to lead 34-25 after one.
Los Angeles held a 64-58 edge at the intermission. James and Davis each scored nine points in the third as the Lakers stretched their lead to 100-79 after three.
“We challenged the guys,” Ham said of his halftime message. “They responded with a big defensive third quarter.”
The Raptors remained without five injured players, including starters Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl. Toronto two-way player Jontay Porter missed his fifth straight game as he remains under investigation for gambling allegations.
Raptors guard Bruce Brown left in the fourth because of a sore right knee.
Lakers forward Cam Reddish was not available for personal reasons, while guard Gabe Vincent sat on the opening night of the back-to-back games as he returns from left knee surgery.
NEXT SCHEDULE
Lakers: Visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Raptors: Visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
