The Toronto Raptors began their second season last night by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 107-92. We will deal with the bizarre atmosphere in a separate post; for now, just the (game) facts, ma’am.
Led by Kyle Lowry, Toronto’s offense, which had hit an air pocket in Q2, rediscovered its mojo in crunch time. The lead had seesawed through most of the second half, despite the Raptors’ ability to stifle the Lakers’ best weapons.
With less than 8 minutes to play, the Lakers slipped ahead on a Kyle Kuzma 3-ball. Our Kyle got righteously steamed, and went on a run. Their Kyle had all of the height advantage, but none of the guile. Lowry destroyed Kuzma, most markedly when the frustrated Laker fouled KLo outside the arc. Lowry buried all three free throws, providing the Raptors a 12-point bulge with 2:31 to play. It was 16 when LA threw in the towel. The Raptors “won” Q4 by 35-22, with Lowry contributing 10 points, and a plus_15.
Toronto’s heroes may have had their wobbles when trying to score, but never on D. They were stalwart. The Lakers’ title hopes are pinned on the able bodies of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While those two are formidable normally, neither enjoyed this game. Davis in particular found little room to move, as he was harassed constantly by the swarming Raptors defenders. He managed 14 points, barely half of his season average of 26.6. Six rebounds is unacceptable for a man of his size and ability.
Less arguing, King James
LeBron spent much of this game squawking at the referees, who changed exactly none of their calls as a consequence. (The only successful challenge was called by Raptors coach Nick Nurse, who was dismayed at Marc Gasol being whistled for an offensive foul. The call was correctly negated, i.e., changed to a no-call, with the double impact of Gasol’s foul total remaining the same, and his bucket counted. This mattered greatly, as Gasol committed 5 actual fouls, the same as Serge Ibaka.)
This win was not so much a character-builder as a character-demonstrator. The Raptors jumped out to a hefty 13-0 lead, but let the misfiring Lakers off the mat. They took the lead in Q2, and at one point early in Q3 had nosed ahead by six. The unphased Raptors, led by the brilliant “refuse to lose” Lowry, remembered how to shoot. They never forgot how to distribute, racking up 24 assists, led by Fred VanVleet’s 11.
The top rebounder for either team? The stumpy guard with the matchless heart – Kyle Lowry, with 14.
Toronto next hits the court on Monday afternoon against the Miami Heat.
Tip-Ins
This game was won by Toronto’s starters, who destroyed their LA peers by a ridiculous plus_132 to minus_85. The Raptors’ bench bunch, normally a strength, was mis-led by Norman Powell and Terrence Davis, who were a combined minus_37. That won’t do, fellas.
The attendance was officially listed in the gamebook as “not yet counted”.
OG Anunoby had a wonderful game, missing only one field goal on his way to 23 points – on 9 shots. He was his usual smart and effective self on D, and committed no turnovers. If he keeps up this act, the Raptors are without holes.
Ex-Raptor Danny Green, by contrast, had a miserable outing, missing all 7 shots he tried. He was one of the three Lakers starters who combined for 8 points.
The only Raptor who didn’t see the floor was Stanley Johnson. His future in Toronto is bleak.
