Anthony Davis posted his highest score of the season, joining LeBron James (28 points, 10 assists) and the Los Angeles Lakers squad to defeat the Toronto Raptors on their home court.
LeBron James Known as “Toronto’s Nemesis”
“LeBronTo” was written on LeBron James’s shoes this morning (November 2) as he took the court against the Toronto Raptors at ScotiaBank Arena.
Out of 74 games against the Canadian team, James has secured 56 wins, including 12 victories in three Playoff series back when he played in the Eastern Conference. This earned him the nickname “LeBronTo,” a playful nod to his dominance over Toronto. Today, the Lakers star once again faced the Raptors on their turf—and once again, he emerged victorious.
Starting strong with 14 points in the first quarter, LeBron finished the game with a double-double of 27 points and 10 assists, teaming up with Anthony Davis and his Lakers teammates to win 131-125.
Before today’s game, the Lakers were coming off two consecutive road losses to the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers. Facing a Raptors squad missing three key players due to injuries (ranked 13th in the Eastern Conference with only one win this season), James and the Lakers treated this as a must-win game. They came out with fire and confidence, led by LeBron’s powerful style of play. The Lakers established a 20-point lead by the end of the first quarter, stretching it to 25 by halftime.
“LeBronTo” James Heats Up Early, Leading the Lakers to a Lead Over the Raptors
What seemed like a smooth blowout victory for the Lakers turned intense as the Raptors’ young and energetic lineup fought back.
Rising star Gradey Dick and standout RJ Barrett led the Raptors’ resurgence, scoring a combined 64 points and chipping away at the Lakers’ advantage. They closed the gap to just 8 points midway through the third quarter, nearly tying the game by the end of the fourth. Despite the pressure, the Lakers held firm, thanks to clutch points from Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell.
“Our last two losses were our own doing. This time, though we weren’t flawless, we finally came out on top. That’s a positive sign,” LeBron James said after scoring 27 points, along with 10 assists, 6 rebounds, and a steal.
Anthony Davis clinched the game for the Lakers with two late free throws, securing their fourth win out of six games this season. Davis posted a season-high 38 points (14-20 FG, 10-11 FT), along with 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists.
Austin Reaves gave Lakers fans a scare with an ankle sprain but fortunately finished the game with 20 points, 6 assists, and a 12-14 free throw shooting to make up for a 6-20 FG performance.
“I’m just glad we got the win; that’s what matters most,” Reaves shared. “When I first twisted it, it hurt, but after heading to the locker room for treatment, I felt good enough to come back out.”
