NBA: Raptors eager to extend one streak, snap another with Lakers in town

The Toronto Raptors aim for their ninth consecutive home victory Thursday night while looking to snap a five-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Raptors last defeated the Lakers on Dec. 7, 2022, with a 126-113 home win. They have a strong chance to end that streak, as the Lakers will be without star Luka Doncic, who is reportedly traveling to Slovenia for the birth of his second child with fiancée Anamaria Goltes.

Toronto is currently on a five-game homestand, which began Tuesday with a 121-118 victory over a depleted Portland Trail Blazers team. Portland had rallied from a 16-point deficit to close within two late in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers’ seven-game winning streak ended Monday with a 125-108 home loss to the Phoenix Suns. Los Angeles committed 21 turnovers, leading to 32 points for Phoenix.

Before defeating Portland, the Raptors had dropped games at the New York Knicks on Sunday and at Charlotte in overtime on Saturday, ending a nine-game winning streak. Toronto squandered a 17-point lead against the Hornets, making the win over Portland feel like déjà vu.

On Tuesday, Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 28 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and two blocked shots to secure the win.

"This was a big-time win for us, we really needed it," Barnes said. "We dropped those two back-to-back. Really feel like we should have had that first one. It’s good to get back in the win column and finish out the game."

Barnes demonstrated why he was named the Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for October/November by blocking a Deni Avdija floater in the final seconds to withstand Portland’s late rally.

A key factor for Toronto was their 43-39 advantage in live-ball rebounds, including a 10-9 edge on offensive boards.

"That was a big battle for us," Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. "We talked about it before the game, and we knew who we were facing. They’re a really tough matchup in that area, and we put a lot of work into it throughout the game."

Reserve Jamal Shead also provided a spark in the first half with five steals.

"His energy really got us going," Rajakovic said. "We had a slow start, they caught fire and were shooting well. When Jamal came in, he energized us, and those steals helped us build momentum."

The Lakers begin a stretch of three road games in four nights with their trip to Toronto.

"Road trips should always refocus you, no matter how you’re playing," said LeBron James, who had 10 points and three turnovers in 31 minutes on Monday. "I don’t think it takes a loss to refocus us."

Doncic had 38 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in the loss, but he also tied a career-high with nine turnovers.

"Yeah, that was my fault," Doncic said. "No way I should have nine turnovers. In the second quarter, I was trying to get everyone involved instead of just shooting, but there’s no excuse."

Austin Reaves added 16 points but had five turnovers.

"I literally dribbled the ball out of bounds once," Reaves said. "I have to be better in that aspect." -Field Level Media/Reuters