Final
Lakers finish road trip north of the border vs. Raptors
Dec 19, 2010 - 3:49 PM (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant and the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers will conclude a grueling seven-game road trip north of the border this afternoon by taking on the Toronto Raptors.The Lakers improved to an impressive 5-1 on their trek Friday in Philadelphia when Lamar Odom scored 11 points during a fourth-quarter Lakers surge, leading Los Angeles to a 93-81 victory over the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
Odom scored a season-high 28 points in all for the Lakers, who used a 23-4 run early in the fourth to win their fourth straight game. Pau Gasol added 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Matt Barnes had 15 points in the win.
Kobe Bryant sprained his pinky and struggled from the field for a season-low nine points, but his teammates were able to pick up the pace. Los Angeles outscored Philadelphia, 35-19, in the fourth quarter.
"We used our counters, used our spacing and made some shots," said Bryant, who hurt a finger on his right hand, but was deemed unhurt by head coach Phil Jackson. "We are getting it going again."
Bryant is listed as probable for today's contest as the Lakers aim to improve on their 10-5 road record.
The Raptors, meanwhile, snapped a two-game skid on Friday when Leandro Barbosa's three-pointer with 14.9 seconds remaining gave Toronto some separation, and they went on to top the New Jersey Nets, 98-92, at Air Canada Centre.
Andrea Bargnani, who sat out the team's loss to Chicago on Wednesday with a sore left knee, returned to score a game-high 32 points and Jose Calderon added 15 points and 14 assists for the Raptors, who improved to 1-1 on a four- game homestand. Linas Kleiza notched a double-double of 18 points and 12 boards for the victors.
DeMar DeRozan added 14 points and Barbosa scored 10 in a reserve role for the Raptors, who are 7-7 this season at Air Canada Centre.
"I think we played a good, patient game," stated Calderon. "[New Jersey] played a great first half, but we knew that we were going to get a good run. We made key shots and played solid defense in the end."
The Lakers have won six of the past seven meetings in the series, including a 108-103 win in Hollywood on Nov. 5.
- LOS ANGELES: 120
TORONTO: 110
Final
Dec 19 3:35 PM - LOS ANGELES: 86
TORONTO: 79
End of 3rd
Dec 19 3:01 PM - LOS ANGELES: 57
TORONTO: 49
Halftime
Dec 19 2:15 PM - LOS ANGELES: 28
TORONTO: 34
End of 1st
Dec 19 1:39 PM
Related News
- Lakers Reportedly Willing to Explore Adding Bronny James Feb 15
- Warriors Reportedly Attempted to Trade for LeBron James Feb 14
- Toronto Raptors Reportedly Trade Pascal Siakam to Indiana Pacers Jan 17
- Shaquille O’Neal To Be First To Have Jersey Retired by Magic Jan 4
- LeBron James Has Been At His Best for Many Birthdays Dec 29
- Lakers show potential vs. Celtics, but work still to be done Dec 25
- Celtics handle Lakers despite Anthony Davis’ strong showing Dec 25
- Lakers vs. Celtics Preview and Game Thread: Rivalry renewed in Christmas tradition Dec 24
- Darvin Ham discusses starting lineup change after win vs. Thunder Dec 24
- Players Grades: Lakers vs. Thunder Dec 24
- Toronto Raptors vs Utah Jazz Final: 126-119 — Raptors lose third straight Dec 23
- LeBron James dominates as Lakers beat Thunder on road Dec 23