Deadspin: Luka Doncic pours in 45 as Lakers finish off Raptors after late rally

Lakers build an early cushion

Toronto opened with a 5-0 lead, but Los Angeles answered with a 23-6 surge. The Lakers finished the first quarter ahead 36-23 and took a 66-54 advantage into halftime.

Doncic had 24 points by the break, including six 3-pointers. Los Angeles went on to lead 104-82 after three quarters, despite committing 24 turnovers in the game.

Doncic leads the scoring

Doncic finished with 45 points and 15 rebounds, making 8 of 12 shots from beyond the arc to equal his season high for 3-pointers. Reaves scored 19 points for Los Angeles.

Walker Kessler recorded 16 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks, while Collin Sexton added 14 points. The Lakers made 53.8% of their shots and 48.6% of their 3-pointers.

Toronto rallies late

With Doncic on the bench, Toronto cut into the deficit. RJ Barrett’s 3-pointer helped bring the Raptors within 109-100 with 6:58 left. Doncic returned and scored on a reverse layup, helping spark a 9-1 Lakers run that pushed the margin to 118-101 with 4:07 remaining. Toronto later closed to 125-120 on Jaden Bradley’s three-point play with 43.7 seconds left, but Los Angeles held on.

Raptors contributions and record

Barnes scored 29 points after posting a career-high 41 in Friday’s loss to the Orlando Magic. Barrett added 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Jamison Battle scored 20 and Immanuel Quickley had 12.

Toronto shot 42.9% from the floor and 31.5% from 3-point range. The defeat came in the opener of a four-game road trip and left the Raptors 1-3 since Leonard’s knee injury.