Deandre Ayton scored 25 points with 13 rebounds and Luka Doncic also had 25 points as the Los Angeles Lakers turned improved defense into a much-needed 110-93 victory Sunday over the visiting Toronto Raptors.
LeBron James scored 24 points as the Lakers won for just the second time in their past seven games, and are 6-9 since Dec. 20, after a 19-7 start to the season. Doncic and Ayton returned after sitting out Saturday’s loss at Portland with injuries.
Los Angeles gave up a season low in points after allowing an average of 133.5 points while losing their past two games. Ayton was 10 of 10 from the floor after missing one game with a back injury.
Scottie Barnes scored 22 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 20 for the Raptors, who lost consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 20-21. Former Laker Brandon Ingram scored 19 for Toronto, which lost both games to Los Angeles this season.
The Raptors lost center Collin Murray-Boyles to a sprained left thumb in the third quarter. Murray-Boyles finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Toronto led 75-73 with 4:36 remaining in the third quarter before the Lakers turned a 14-4 run into an 87-79 lead just before the end of the period. Los Angeles moved its lead to double digits for the first time at 91-80 with 10:44 remaining after a basket from James.
The Raptors were held to 13 points in the fourth quarter when they shot 29.4%. The Lakers shot 48.8% in the second half and 48.2% in the game, while the Raptors shot 41.8%.
In a tight first half, both teams led by as many as nine points, with the Lakers taking a 55-54 lead into the break. Los Angeles created an 18-point swing, turning a 30-21 deficit with under a minute remaining in the first quarter into a 45-36 lead midway through the second.
Doncic led the Lakers with 18 points in the first half while Mamukelashvili had 17 on 7-of-8 shooting. Doncic was back from a one-game absence due to groin soreness.
The Lakers are now set to play eight consecutive road games as they vacate their arena for the Grammy Awards.
