The Toronto Raptors are preparing for a stern test against an improving team Wednesday night when they play the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers have been playing much better after a slow start to the season, and the combination of LeBron James and Anthony Davis provides a difficult challenge for any team.
Davis was ill and left the Lakers’ 116-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night after playing just eight minutes.
James scored 21 points and grabbed 17 rebounds and Thomas Bryant added 19 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who were outscored 31-19 in the fourth quarter. Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points for Cleveland to spoil James’ homecoming.
The Lakers are 2-1 halfway through a six-game road trip. They started the season 2-10 but have won eight of their past 11.
The Raptors are coming off a 116-110 home loss to the surging Boston Celtics, who were playing the second half of back-to-back games — as the Lakers will be.
Davis scored 55 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked three shots in a 130-119 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday. He shot 22-for-30 from the field.
Davis scored 44 points in a 133-129 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday to open the trip.
Health has been an issue for Davis at times.
