D'Angelo Russell scores 28 points in return, Lakers beat Raptors

LOS ANGELES(AP) — D’Angelo Russell had 28 points and nine assists in hisdynamic return from a six-game injury absence, Dennis Schröderadded 23 points and seven assists and the Los Angeles Lakers wonfor the seventh time in nine games, 122-112 over the TorontoRaptors on Friday night.

AustinReaves scored 18 points while Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbiltadded 16 apiece as the Lakers extended their impressive recentsurge even with little contribution this time from AnthonyDavis.

Thesuperstar big man had only eight points and nine rebounds whilestruggling against Toronto’s defense, but Russell and his teammatestook charge before Davis sealed the win on his only field goal ofthe second half with 46 seconds to play.

Russell wasthe centerpiece of the Lakers’ activity at the trade deadline, butthe point guard appeared in only four games to begin his secondstint in Los Angeles before spraining his right ankle. He returnedto the starting lineup with a spring in his step, hitting five3-pointers and making a series of high-difficulty plays that hadthe Lakers’ home crowd roaring repeatedly.

ScottieBarnes scored 20 of his career-high 32 points in the second half,and O.G. Anunoby made his first 11 shots while scoring 31 points inthe Raptors’ fourth loss to complete a tough five-game road trip.Toronto had won seven consecutive road games against the Lakerssince 2014.

The Lakersmoved into ninth place in the Western Conference three days agowith a win over Memphis, and they are excelling even in the middleof the lengthy absence of LeBron James.

Russell andSchröder led an outstanding effort against Toronto, and the Lakerssurged away to their sixth win in eight games since the All-Starbreak. Los Angeles also went 19 for 19 at the free throw line.Russell racked up 12 points and seven assists in the first halfwhile the Lakers erased an early 15-point deficit.

The Lakersmanaged just four field goals in a nightmare third quarter, buttook a nine-point lead midway through the fourth with a 26-8run.

TIP-INS

Raptors:Will Barton scored five points in his return from a one-gameabsence with a non-COVID illness. ... Jakob Poeltl had 17 pointsand 10 rebounds.

Lakers:Coach Darvin Ham said they haven’t decided whether to sign a backupcenter with new acquisition Mo Bamba possibly sidelined until thepostseason by a high left ankle sprain. ... Davis turns 30 onSaturday.

UPNEXT

Raptors:Host Denver on Tuesday night.

Lakers:Host New York on Sunday night.