Lakers clamp down on defense in win over Raptors
Deandre Ayton scored 25 points with 13 rebounds and Luka Doncic also had 25 points as the Los Angeles Lakers turned improved defense into a much-needed 110-93 victory Sunday over the visiting Toronto Raptors.
LeBron James scored 24 points as the Lakers won for just the second time in their past seven games, and are 6-9 since Dec. 20, after a 19-7 start to the season. Doncic and Ayton returned after sitting out Saturday's loss at Portland with injuries.
Los Angeles gave up a season low in points after allowing an average of 133.5 points while losing their past two games. Ayton was 10 of 10 from the floor after missing one game with a back injury.
Scottie Barnes scored 22 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 20 for the Raptors, who lost consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 20-21. Former Laker Brandon Ingram scored 19 for Toronto, which lost both games to Los Angeles this season.
The Raptors lost center Collin Murray-Boyles to a sprained left thumb in the third quarter. Murray-Boyles finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Toronto led 75-73 with 4:36 remaining in the third quarter before the Lakers turned a 14-4 run into an 87-79 lead just before the end of the period. Los Angeles moved its lead to double digits for the first time at 91-80 with 10:44 remaining after a basket from James.
The Raptors were held to 13 points in the fourth quarter when they shot 29.4%. The Lakers shot 48.8% in the second half and 48.2% in the game, while the Raptors shot 41.8%.
In a tight first half, both teams led by as many as nine points, with the Lakers taking a 55-54 lead into the break. Los Angeles created an 18-point swing, turning a 30-21 deficit with under a minute remaining in the first quarter into a 45-36 lead midway through the second.
Doncic led the Lakers with 18 points in the first half while Mamukelashvili had 17 on 7-of-8 shooting. Doncic was back from a one-game absence due to groin soreness.
The Lakers are now set to play eight consecutive road games as they vacate their arena for the Grammy Awards.