The Los Angeles Lakers will look to maintain their perfect home record when they host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
After starting the season with the franchise’s first 3-0 record since 2010-11, the Lakers struggled on a five-game road trip, finishing 1-4.
However, they bounced back with a 116-106 home win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, avoiding a three-game losing streak. Anthony Davis led the charge with 31 points, continuing his impressive start to the season.
Davis has scored at least 31 points in six of his eight games this season and has recorded at least 11 rebounds in four games. His four blocked shots against the 76ers were a season high.
LeBron James recorded his 114th career triple-double on Friday, with 21 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds. Austin Reaves added 20 points for the Lakers, who are 3-1 when he scores at least 20 points this season.
Cam Reddish and D’Angelo Russell also contributed significantly to Friday’s win. Lakers coach JJ Redick praised the duo, with Russell scoring 18 points off the bench and Reddish fulfilling various roles on the court.
Russell is one of five Lakers players averaging double figures in points, with 12.7 points per game. He joins Davis (32.4), James (23.7), Reaves (17.8), and Rui Hachimura (13.0).
Hachimura scored nine points on Friday in his return to the lineup after missing the previous game against Memphis.
Toronto will be playing the fourth game of a five-game road trip on Sunday. The Raptors have struggled on this stretch, dropping to 0-3 after a 105-103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
In that game, Ochai Agbaji and Immanuel Quickley each scored 21 points, Gradey Dick added 15, and
Chris Boucher contributed 14 points off the bench. However, Toronto fell 15 points short of its average scoring output from the previous nine games.
RJ Barrett, who was averaging a team-high 25.7 points per game entering Saturday’s contest, finished with only 13 points against the Clippers.
Getting Barrett back on track and increasing the team’s tempo will be top priorities for the Raptors on Sunday.
