Lake Show Life
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Los Angeles Lakers survive the Raptors because of Russell Westbrook

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 18: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a game-tying basket to send the game into overtime during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 18: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a game-tying basket to send the game into overtime during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have not won a road game in quite a while. They went north of the border carrying along an 11 game road losing streak. To put this perspective, the Lake Show had not won a game outside of Crypto.com Arena since January 25th which includes losses to the Clippers, Rockets, Spurs, 76ers, Hornets, Hawks, Blazers, Warriors (Long list huh?), Suns, and Timberwolves.

What was on the minds of Lakers fans was how the Los Angeles Lakers would fare on the road in Toronto after stinking up their own arena falling behind 30-6 in the first part of the game.

Let’s get some very positive things that happened in this game that hasn’t happened in A LONG TIME!

  • The Los Angeles Lakers got out to a good start and ended the first quarter leading 33-30.
  • The Lakers knocked down four 3 point shots in the first quarter alone. They started the game hitting three straight. In comparison to the last three games, they shot 1-33. 
  • The Lakers had a double-digit lead in the first half leading 57-46 late in the second quarter.
  • They led the game at halftime.
  • They had a lead in the third quarter. Basically, we are saying, the channel didn’t change after the first 15 minutes of the game!

The Los Angeles Lakers played the best team game possibly of the season beating the Toronto Raptors 128-123 in an overtime thriller. There is not enough room on this post-game report to point out every player that contributed because there’s a game against the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

This was a really great game to watch with plenty to break down for a change because the Lakers did something important for the first time this week.

They tried…they really, really TRIED!

The good from the Los Angeles Lakers’ win:

Man…Wenyen Gabriel was AMAZING!

The staff of Lake Show Life wants to extend congratulations to Wenyen Gabriel, who had his first start as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Based on his first ten minutes, maybe the guy should stay there!

https://twitter.com/SpectrumSN/status/1504968326845325312

In less than ten minutes, Gabriel was killing the Toronto Raptors knocking down his first six shots for 14 points which is a career-high. All jokes here, but those are Wilt Chamberlain numbers there! However, the bad news is he got three fouls in that same timeframe. How well was Wenyen playing? Frank Vogel challenged his third foul call just to keep him on the floor.

Wenyen scored 17 points on 7-8 shooting. He battled foul trouble and a turned ankle to be the most important unsung hero. His block of Fred Van Vleet at the end of overtime sealed the game.

Russell Westbrook…with a steal! He shoots the 3….YEAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSS!

There is no one on the planet not in Russell Westbrook’s family that is rooting harder for Russ than Ronald Agers. Forget the game. Forget the numbers. It was the last two possessions for the Lakers in crunch time.

The next to the last possession: 

Russ shot a 3 pointer from the wing that hit the side of the backboard. No lie, Lakers fans this writer almost was almost in tears because that would be the shot that illustrated his season. He was not coming back from this folks. Do you know how hard it is to shoot a 25 footer from the wing and hit the side of the backboard?

The last possession!

Overtime baby!

Russ had a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Guess what, the shot that sent it into overtime is the only thing that matters. In overtime, he hit Avery Bradley in the corner for a 3 pointer and defended Scottie Barnes enough to help Austin Reaves late.

If you are a real Lakers fan (Or have a heart), you are happy for Russell Westbrook because he couldn’t come back to the United States shooting that serious brick before his tying basket.

D.J. Augustin is on a hot streak. Please pass this Lake Show Life analysis on to Frank Vogel!!!!

The one thing D.J. Augustin can do is stroke those jumpers from distance. Augustin found a rhythm against the Minnesota Timberwolves helping the Lakers cut the lead to 89-85. The second Vogel sat him down, the game was over as the offense got disjointed and unorganized.

Thanks to so many players being out of the lineup, Vogel had no choice but to keep him in the game.

Augustin continued his hot streak knocking down timely shots throughout the game to keep the Lakers near the lead late through three quarters

Augustin finished with 9 points.

The Los Angeles Lakers won the game…

Does anything else really matter?

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