Kobe Bryant is likely to return as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
The Los Angeles Lakers have enjoyed three days of rest since their last outing, but will take to STAPLES Center on Friday night for a matchup with the Toronto Raptors. Not only is this game the first matchup for Lou Williams against his former teammates such as Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, but all signs also point to Kobe Bryant being back in action for Friday night’s contest against Toronto.
Kobe missed Monday’s shellacking at the hands of the Phoenix Suns as he stayed in Los Angeles on the second night of a back-to-back for rest and to continue recovering from a variety of nagging injuries to his knees and back.
Now back at full-strength with Kobe on the floor, the Lakers will be in need of a big performance against the Raptors to try and start recovering from their 2-9 start to the season. Quite frankly, the Raptors are a team that could potentially cause the Lakers the same problems that the Suns did in Monday’s 120-101 loss.
The Lakers had absolutely no answer for the Suns’ backcourt on Monday night, specifically Brandon Knight. Knight lit the Lakers up to the tune of 30 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds, and four steals. Eric Bledsoe has a nice outing as well with 21 points and three assists of his own.
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This is relevant in regard to the Raptors in that they too are a team that can be carried by their backcourt with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan leading the charge. Lowry and DeRozan have combined to average 41.4 points per game this season through 13 games and are the two leading scorers in Toronto.
Subsequently, how the Lakers’ perimeter defense steps up in this matchup is going to be pivotal for LA to have any chance to pick up a victory. They don’t all need to be Gary Payton, but they have to cut down on the defensive lapses that lead to easy buckets for the opposition.
For the Lakers offensively, the Raptors are a team that can be scored against, but the question is how the Lakers plan to attack. If Kobe and Williams dominate the ball and jack up shots at will despite their inefficient shooting seasons thus far, the Raptors could run away with this game early. However, working D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle in the pick-and-roll and allowing Jordan Clarkson to create more often than resorting to Bryant and Williams chucking has the potential to keep Toronto on their toes and put the Lakers in a better position to win.
Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Friday, Nov. 20
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. PST
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Arena: STAPLES Center
TV Info: TWC SportsNet
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Radio: 710AM ESPN, 1330AM ESPN
Point Spread: Toronto Raptors -7
Injury Report
Los Angeles Lakers: None to report
Toronto Raptors: Terrence Ross – Questionable (Left thumb ligament)
Prediction
The Raptors haven’t been the picture of consistency this season, but the duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan promises to cause the poor perimeter defense of the Lakers a ton of problems. In the end, it’ll be the defense that ultimately leads to the Lakers demise once again.
Final Score: Toronto Raptors: 102, Los Angeles Lakers: 91
Next: Will This Be Kobe's Last Season?
How do you think the Lakers handle the Raptors in STAPLES Center on Friday? Be sure to check back with Lake Show Life for highlights, recaps, and more coverage.