The Los Angeles Lakers (30-40) went into Toronto, Canada riding a three-game losing streak but even more important an 11-game road losing streak.

They left with a huge overtime win over the Toronto Raptors (39-31) who had a streak going of their own coming in with a five-game winning streak all of them on the road. I’m sure they felt even better coming in just having beat the Lakers on their home floor four days ago 114-103 in which they led by as many as 21 after the 1st quarter. 

This was a much different game as the Lakers came out hitting five three’s in the 1st quarter and jumped out to a 33-30 lead. They maintained that lead heading into the half 59-55. 

The fourth quarter is when things really became nip & tuck. No team was able to take more than a four point lead. Then there was a huge block by LeBron James on rookie Scottie Barnes dunk attempt midway through the fourth. Then after a questionable call against Lakers guard Avery Bradley late led to a foul & one for Barnes that put the Raptors back up two (110-108), LeBron ties the game at 110 with just under two minutes. Then he ties it again at 113, after Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. hits a three. Trent Jr. matches that with another big shot putting his team back up three (116-113) with just 26 seconds left and that looked like that about did it after LeBron misses his attempt  and teammate Russell Westbrook gets another look after an offensive rebound and that didn’t go.

Forced to foul, the Lakers Westbrook forced a turnover on the inbounds pass to Barnes in the frontcourt with five seconds left and knocks down a three that ultimately sends the game into overtime tied at 116.The Lakers outscored the Raptors 12-7 in overtime in a critical win stopping a losing streak on the road the franchise hasn’t seen in their history. 

LeBron led all scorers with 36 points and grabbed nine rebounds all while playing a team-high 45 minutes at age 37. “To be able to come into a very hostile environment and win a basketball game, and the way we won it, was big for our team,” James said. “We needed literally every minute, all 53 of them, to accomplish that.

“That’s part of what makes him the greatest is his ability to just make whatever play is necessary, whatever side of the floor,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said of James.

Westbrook had a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assist. Weyen Gabriel added 17 points (14 in 1st). The Lakers made 19 3-pt. “I thought we did a great job of just sticking to our principles, grinding the game out,” Westbrook said. “This was a grind-out game.”

The Raptors were led by rookie Barnes double-double 31 points and 17 rebounds (game-high) it was the rookie’s first 30-pt game of his career. Trent Jr. had 23 points, and All-Star guard Fred VanVleet added 20 points and seven assist. 

“We just didn’t make one little play there to get the ball in bounds,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “We got it in and got a tough pass complete and then gave it up.” 

Lakers back-to-back @ Washington on Saturday night.

Raptors: @ Philadelphia on Sunday night.

Go check out our and shop get some really cool gear!