NBA: Lakers clamp down on defense in win over Raptors

Deandre Ayton scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Luka Dončić also contributed 25 points, as the Los Angeles Lakers turned improved defense into a much-needed 110-93 victory Sunday over the visiting Toronto Raptors.

LeBron James added 24 points as the Lakers earned only their second win in their last seven games. Los Angeles has dropped to 6-9 since Dec. 20, after starting the season 19-7. Dončić and Ayton returned to action after sitting out Saturday’s loss in Portland due to injuries.

The Lakers held the Raptors to a season-low point total after allowing an average of 133.5 points during their previous two losses. Ayton was perfect from the floor, going 10 of 10 after missing one game with a back injury.

Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 22 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili added 20. Former Laker Brandon Ingram scored 19 points for the Raptors, who suffered consecutive losses for the first time since Dec. 20–21. Toronto has now lost both matchups against Los Angeles this season.

The Raptors also lost center Collin Murray-Boyles to a sprained left thumb in the third quarter. Murray-Boyles finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Toronto led 75-73 with 4:36 remaining in the third quarter, but the Lakers responded with a 14-4 run to take an 87-79 lead heading into the final period. Los Angeles extended its advantage to double digits for the first time at 91-80 with 10:44 left after a basket by James.

The Raptors were limited to just 13 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 29.4%. The Lakers shot 48.8% in the second half and finished the game at 48.2%, while Toronto shot 41.8%.

In a closely contested first half, both teams held leads of up to nine points. The Lakers entered halftime with a 55-54 advantage after turning a 30-21 deficit with under a minute left in the first quarter into a 45-36 lead midway through the second.

Dončić scored 18 points in the first half, while Mamukelashvili had 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Dončić returned after missing one game due to groin soreness.

The Lakers now begin a stretch of eight consecutive road games as they vacate their arena for the Grammy Awards.

—Field Level Media/Reuters