Lakers vs. Raptors, 102-91: Full highlights, final score and more

The Lakers fought hard, but ultimately dropped to 2-10 with Friday’s loss to the Raptors

The Los Angeles Lakers played arguably their most inspired basketball of the season on Friday night as they faced off against the Toronto Raptors. Kobe Bryant made his return to action after missing Monday’s contest, but the stars of the night for Los Angeles were their young backcourt and young big man in D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle. Those three played with incredible aggressiveness and an attacking mind that kept the Lakers offense humming for most of the night.

However, the same problems that have plagued the Lakers all season still persisted. The minutes-distribution on the part of Byron Scott remained questionable, most notably with Kobe playing 38 minutes when he just missed a game due to rest. Moreover, the Lakers’ defense was vulnerable for most of the night as Luis Scola took it to Randle on a number of occasions and the Lakers closing out on shooters on the perimeter was abysmal. With Jonas Valanciunas leaving this game for the Raptors with a hand injury, they resorted to taking a ton of threes and were mostly wide open to do so as they went 15-33 from deep.

It was hardly a depressing evening in STAPLES Center on Friday as the younger players like Russell, Clarkson, and Randle all got serious playing time and starred for Los Angeles. However, the result was ultimately not in the Lakers favor as Toronto pulled away in the second half to move to 8-6 and drop the Lakers to a paltry 2-10.

Three stars

Julius Randle was easily the most aggressive Lakers player on the night and it paid off. The big man finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds while going 6-9 from the field and converting on all six of his attempts from the foul line.

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Kyle Lowry torched the Lakers on Friday night with torrid three-point shooting. The Raptors guard finished the night with 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals while going 7-11 from deep.

D’Angelo Russell played arguably his best game as a pro and was also given 34 minutes on the floor. The rookie finished with 17 points on 7-16 shooting and 3-7 shooting from deep and added five boards, two assists, a steal, and a block.

Highlights

Odds

The Raptors were seven-point favorites in this game and covered with the 11-point victory.

Next: Is The Lakers Defense Getting Any Better?

Next Game

The Lakers will be at STAPLES Center on Sunday night to take on the Portland Trail Blazers.

Toronto will be in STAPLES Center as well on Sunday, taking on the Los Angeles Clippers that afternoon.