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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Takeaways from the loss to Toronto Raptors

By George Middleton

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during a game against the Toronto Raptors on November 10, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during a game against the Toronto Raptors on November 10, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Here are three takeaways from the second loss of the season for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a seven-game win streak when they fell 113-104 against the Toronto Raptors. It was a surprising loss considering the Raptors were without Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka.

Early on the Lakers looked like they would cruise to a victory as they led by double-digits and held an 8-point halftime lead. The Lakers seemed to get complacent in stretches, particularly in the third quarter. As a result they picked up their second loss of the season.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 27 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

Let’s take a look at a few key takeaways from the loss.

-Lakers struggled with Toronto’s length

The Lakers have bullied the opposition this season as they lead the league in blocks. The team has three great shot blockers in Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee, and Dwight Howard. Even guys like Danny Green and LeBron can chip in with a block.

On Sunday night the Lakers were bullied themselves against an athletic and long frontcourt. Pascal Siakam (24 points), Chris Boucher, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and OG Anunoby gave the Lakers fits all night.

LeBron had his lowest scoring game of the season and in the fourth quarter missed an array of layups inside. James finished with 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting. The Raptors as mentioned are not only long, but they are all terrific athletes. Toronto as a team had eight blocks, a number we’ve been accustomed to the Lakers getting not allowing.

-Troy Daniels sighting

The Lakers know what they have in Troy Daniels. He is a shooter who they can rely on to let the ball go. That’s clearly his strength and he will usually just provide that.

After a stretch of six straight quiet games, Daniels woke up. Daniels had a total of 14 points on 2-of-20 threes in that stretch. On Sunday he went for 11 points on 3-of-5 from deep in just 16 minutes. It’s surprising that Daniels didn’t play more in the second half considering that most of his teammates were cold.

-Perimeter defense struggled

The Lakers did a good job in defending Siakam and Marc Gasol who combined for 26 points on 10-of-27 shooting, with Siakam doing most of the scoring. The problem is that Fred VanVleet had 23 points on 4-of-9 from deep, and Norman Powell added 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Even rookie Terence Davis added a career-high 13 points on 3-of-5 from three-point range.

Avery Bradley and Alex Caruso have been stellar on defense for a good portion of the season. The issue in Sunday’s contest is that the team struggled on switches against the undersized VanVleet who often created space.

Next. 4 Lessons from the loss to the Raptors. dark

This loss won’t haunt the Lakers in fact it will wake them up. They will have to learn that they can’t fall asleep against teams just cause they have the talent to win nearly any night.

The team will look to begin a new winning streak as they take on the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. One can expect a better effort from LeBron in this one.

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