Anthony Davis Dominates Fourth Quarter as Lakers Edge Raptors 132-131

In a thrilling matchup, Anthony Davis showcased his brilliance by scoring 20 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a narrow 132-131 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. This win marked the Lakers’ first back-to-back victories in a month.

LeBron James contributed 22 points and 12 assists for the Lakers, who recently struggled with a 3-10 record following their triumph in the NBA In-Season Tournament in December. The Lakers managed to fend off the Clippers on Sunday and continued their resurgence against the Raptors, reaching a .500 record (19-19).

Davis, displaying his versatility, grabbed 11 rebounds and went 13 for 17 from the field, including a near-perfect 13 of 14 from the free-throw line. He took charge in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points in the final 1:01, making crucial free throws, and delivering a pivotal block on Scottie Barnes.

Despite the Raptors missing injured starting center Jakob Poeltl, Barnes had an impressive performance with 26 points, and Pascal Siakam contributed 25. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, acquired from New York, added 23 and 21 points, respectively.

The game remained close, with Toronto taking a 121-120 lead on a Gary Trent Jr. 3-pointer with 1:08 left. However, Davis responded with a quick layup, crucial defensive plays, and two free throws. Barrett’s offensive foul wiped out a potential tying 3-pointer by Barnes, allowing the Lakers to secure the win.

Toronto played without Poeltl, who is sidelined indefinitely with a left ankle sprain, while Rui Hachimura and Otto Porter Jr. missed the game due to injury for the Lakers and Raptors, respectively.

The Lakers, now finding their rhythm, will look to build on this momentum as they face the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, while the Raptors aim to bounce back against the Clippers on Wednesday.