Los Angeles Lakers survive the Raptors because of Russell Westbrook
By Ronald Agers
The bad from the Los Angeles Lakers’ win:
The Los Angeles Lakers can’t stop Scottie Barnes.
In the first quarter of the previous game when the Lakers saw a lead of 30-6 put on them, Scottie Barnes scored 14 of them on 6-7 shooting. Well, maybe the dog ate the game film because nothing changed in the first quarter of this one. He dropped 9 straight points after the Lakers got out to an early lead.
Barnes finished with 31 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Lakers hurt themselves giving up a 7-0 run to Toronto just before halftime!
The Lake Show was up 57-46 late in the second quarter of a LeBron James layup forcing a Raptors timeout. Lakers broadcast analyst, Stu Lantz stated that it was important that the Lakers finish the quarter strong.
Well, they didn’t. Turnovers, missed shots and giving up offensive rebounds allowed Toronto to shave an 11 point lead to a more manageable four points.
They ALMOST blew it late on perimeter defense!
The Raptors just found ways to expose Malik Monk on defense late in the fourth quarter. There were times the Lakers flat out could not stop Toronto with their small-ball defense.