Lakers vs. Raptors: Three things to watch as L.A. looks to bounce back
Carlos Yakimowich
Host · Writer
The Lakers showed how quickly their offense can build a lead Friday. They also showed how quickly that advantage can disappear.
After surrendering a 25-point lead in a 112-95 loss to the Warriors, the Lakers (4-2) return to Crypto.com Arena to face the Toronto Raptors (3-2) on Sunday. Their seventh game presents another opportunity to address the uneven execution that has contributed to two losses in the last three games.
Here are three things to watch.
Can the Lakers take better care of the ball?The Lakers committed 20 turnovers against Golden State, with Austin Reaves responsible for eight. Luka Dončić’s 37 points helped fuel their offense, but L.A. struggled to sustain possessions as the Warriors recovered from their early deficit.
Toronto presents another challenge for the Lakers’ ballhandlers. The Raptors are averaging 12.4 steals, which ranks second in the NBA through five games.
The Lakers have already demonstrated their scoring ability. Turning more possessions into shot attempts would give that offense a better chance to hold up across four quarters.
Will the reserves provide a response?Golden State’s bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves 50-7 on Friday, a significant disparity in a game L.A. lost by 17.
That followed a win over the Clippers in which the Lakers received important contributions throughout the rotation without Dončić. Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton have shown they can bring scoring and defensive activity, but the Lakers need those contributions alongside their leading scorer, too, and at a consistent level.
Watch how JJ Redick distributes the ballhandling responsibilities when he begins making substitutions.
How will L.A. defend Scottie Barnes?Barnes enters Sunday after scoring a career-high 41 points in Toronto’s 121-114 loss to Orlando. He has led the Raptors in scoring in four of their first five games.
His size and ability to operate inside present a different defensive assignment from chasing Golden State’s shooters.
The Lakers must make Barnes work for positioning while keeping their help organized behind the initial defender. Allowing him to establish himself deep in the paint would put additional pressure on Walker Kessler to protect the rim.
How L.A. handles those possessions without surrendering open looks elsewhere will be central to its response. After losing control of Friday’s game, the Lakers need a more connected defensive effort to finish their first meeting with Toronto.
