LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 65 points as the Los Angeles Lakers resisted a spirited second-half effort from the Toronto Raptors in a 131-125 victory on Friday.
RJ Barrett led the host Raptors with 33 points and a career-high 12 assists, while second-year sharpshooter Gradey Dick added a career-best 31 points on 13-of-26 shooting. Barrett and Dick became the first pair in franchise history to each record 30 points in back-to-back games.
The Lakers led 76-51 at halftime before the Raptors responded with a 37-point third quarter to narrow the advantage in a contest that once seemed out of reach.
LeBron finished the game with 27 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds as the Lakers snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 4-2 on the season under first-year head coach JJ Redick. Davis dropped a season-high 38 points to pair with 12 boards, while Austin Reaves contributed 20 points despite shooting 4-of-13 from the field.
The Raptors continue to play shorthanded due to a series of injuries. Immanuel Quickley suffered an injury in the first game of the season, while Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk are yet to appear in a game. Scottie Barnes missed his second consecutive game with a right orbital fracture.
The result in Toronto was the Lakers’ first road win of the campaign.
The Lakers continue their five-game road trip Monday against the 1-5 Detroit Pistons. They opened the road trip with back-to-back losses in Phoenix and Cleveland.
The Raptors (1-5) next play Saturday, when they host former Toronto fan favorite DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings. Another former Raptors All-Star, Vince Carter, will have his jersey retired and hung from the rafters during Saturday’s festivities.
