'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAEDBAEFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQABREhIgcSExUxUQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQYRAQEAAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMEEUFx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDQ3s4PUM2JUIyoUe3Xhh51vISXfF3ccoO0r+EVdYZb4BpshOslGTr93SlT26DTsiQJJODGO33P/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The LA Lakers blew a 10-point lead against the Toronto Raptors at home after a disappointing third-quarter performance. The Raptors tightened up on defense and outscored the Lakers 25-9 to start the quarter. LA couldn't handle the rock or hit a clean shot.
Darvin Ham's team ended the first half on a positive note, and it looked like they would pick up a routine win. However, the game seemed far from over, thanks to Nick Nurse making adjustments that heavily favored the Raptors. Laker fans couldn't believe the turnaround Toronto made to start the second half. One fan wrote on Twitter:
"Raptors and Lakers honoring Westbrook tonight with all these turnovers such a wonderful gesture"
More such reactions followed:
LA Lakers survive the third-quarter collapse, enter the final 12 minutes down five points
Darvin Ham's team made a late push in the third quarter to trim the Raptors' lead to five points. Toronto missed a bunch of shots and committed unforced turnovers that helped LA stay in the game.
Austin Reaves was crucial in keeping them afloat. He scored seven of the team's 15 points in that period, making five trips to the free throw line. The Lakers finished the quarter with nine turnovers, one team assist and 4-of-16 field goal shooting, while the Raptors made 10-of-19 shots and committed five turnovers.
That helped the 17-time champions enter the final quarter down only five points. It played a crucial role in the grand scheme of things as LA overturned that deficit in no time, thanks to some stellar play from D'Angelo Russell, Dennis Schroder and Reaves.
The LA Lakers started the final 12 minutes with a 23-6 run. LA eventually matched their biggest lead of the game with five minutes left, with a 10-point advantage (110-100). Russell and Reaves put on a show from there on as LA secured a 122-112 win over the Canadian franchise.
It was a total team effort from LA without the injured LeBron James. Anthony Davis scored only eight points as the Toronto Raptors defense aggressively doubled him, limiting the Lakers center to seven field goal attempts on the night.
D'Angelo Russell, who returned from a six-game absence, scored a team-high 28 points, while Dennis Schroder had 23. Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura scored over 15 points apiece.
LA improved to 33-34 for the year, the closest they have been to the .500 mark since going down 0-1. They've also matched their win tally from last season (they were 33-49 in 2021-22).
LA is only a game behind the sixth seed, and if they carry the momentum for the better part of their remaining games, a top-six finish is well within the Purple and Gold's reach.
