On March 19, Beijing time, the Lakers played against the Raptors on the road, changed the starting lineup again, and Gabriel, who entered the starting lineup, became a surprise soldier, scoring 10 points in the opening 2 minutes and 54 seconds, including two three-pointers in the 4 shots. He had 14 points and two rebounds on 6-of-6 shooting in the first quarter. Plagued by fouls, he played eight minutes in the first half.
Lakers coach Vogel finally abandoned the small lineup to start and resumed the traditional lineup, starting with Westbrook, Munch, James, Gabriel and Howard. In the previous 3 games, the Lakers collapsed in the first quarter, trailing 20+ in the first quarter twice and 14 points behind in the first quarter in the other. In this battle, Zhan Huang was wounded, but he came out with an injury.
In this game, the Lakers switched to the traditional starting, using the young and energetic Gabriel, hoping to change in the first quarter. It was the 33rd starter the Lakers had used this season.
In this game, the Lakers relied on the wizard Gabriel to open the situation, he scored two baskets, twice made three-pointers, scored 10 consecutive points, and Westbrook also scored 5 points. The game played 2 minutes and 54 seconds, and the Lakers played a perfect start 15-5.
But then the Lakers muted, and the Raptors unleashed a ferocious attack led by VanVleet and Scotty Barnes and Siakam, playing an 18-3 offensive wave, rewriting the score to 23-18.
The Lakers' defense is still relatively lax, repeatedly watching the opponent's offensive score, and the players lack the motivation to actively assist and supplement the defense.
Lakers James and Augustine scored five straight points. Gabriel was still alive when he returned to the field, receiving a dunk from Stanley Johnson. Then he scored again under the basket and made a foul on Raptors player Boucher, but unfortunately did not hit the penalty.
Gabriel, who fought fiercely, then tried to create an offensive foul for Achuva, but the referee awarded a defensive foul. It was his third foul and he had to be substituted for a break.
However, the momentum of the Lakers has risen. Howard hit two free throws, Stanley Johnson scored from the middle and Reeves hit a three-pointer. The Lakers led the Raptors 33-30 in the first quarter. Gabriel is like a catfish, activating the offensive enthusiasm of the players, and the Lakers' change of formation is successful from the first quarter.
James threatened in the second quarter, he only scored 3 points in the first quarter, but the second quarter came up to cut points, Munch also found the feeling, the Lakers still maintained defensive intensity in this quarter, and the Lakers gradually pulled away the score. Zhan Huang received a pass from Reeves with 2:34 left in the second quarter to score a layup, and the Lakers led by 11 points 57-46. The Raptors then went on a 9-2 offensive run. The Lakers led 59-55 in the first half.
James had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists in the first half, and Westbrook had 11 points, four rebounds and five assists in the first half, shooting 5-of-8, including a three-pointer.