On March 19, the NBA regular season ended a focus battle, with the Lakers beating the Raptors 128-123 in overtime to end their recent three-game losing streak. The two sides alternated leads in this game, the Lakers started 15-5, the Raptors returned a wave of 18-3, after which the two teams fought, Westbrook hit a three-pointer after stealing, dragging the game into overtime. In overtime, the Lakers withstood the pressure under the leadership of James, he key steal Barnes, the Lakers successfully won the victory.
Statistics:
Lakers: James 36 points, 9 boards, 7 assists, 1 break and 2 caps, Gabriel 17 points, 3 boards and 2 assists, Howard 7 points and 6 boards, Munch 9 points, Westbrook 22 points, 10 boards and 10 assists, Johnson 4 points, Reeves 10 points, 7 boards and 6 assists, Bradley 14 points, Augustine 9 points;
Raptors: Barnes 31 points, 16 boards and 6 assists, Siakam 17 points, 6 boards, 7 assists and 3 assists, Trent 23 points and 3 assists, VanVleet 20 points and 6 assists, Achuva 18 points and 5 boards, Butcher 6 points and 5 boards;
Focus Lens:
The Lakers led the Raptors by three points in the first quarter, the first time they have taken the lead in the first quarter in the last five games since they played the Rockets on March 10;
In the fourth quarter, Westbrook hit a three-pointer, which was also the ninth time in his career that he hit a three-pointer at a critical moment, tied for second with Kobe Bryant in the past 25 years;
Contest Review:
In the first quarter, Gabriel threw the first goal, Barnes scored three points, and James assisted Westbrook to score on a layup. Gabriel and Barnes scored against each other, Westbrook and Gabriel hit from the outside and the Lakers started 15-5. Then the Raptors returned a wave of 18-3, Barnes threw a shot, then played 2+1, VanVleet hit a three-pointer, and James made one of two free throws. Siakam hit a three-pointer, Westbrook picked up a basket, and VanVleet and Siakam scored consecutive points. James' jump shot stopped the bleeding, Trent threw in and Augustine hit a three-pointer. Gabriel scored with a dunk, then he scored 2+1, with Howard hitting one of two free throws. Johnson threw a free throw, Reeves hit a three-pointer in the open, Achuva scored on a jumper, and the first quarter ended, and the Lakers made it 33-30 to the Raptors.
In the second quarter, Reeves assisted James on a layup, and Barnes threw a shot. James scored with a layup and Banton made a 2+1 layup. Westbrook broke through, Banton made one of two free throws and James scored on a jumper. Trent hit three-pointers, Bradley also hit three-pointers in color, and Munch and VanVleet also hit three-pointers. Munch slammed his hands shut, then he scored on a layup, and Birch made up for it. James dunked domineeringly, Trent made one of two free throws, and Reeves assisted James again. Achuva threw a shot to score, James hit two free throws, and Achuva's chase hit a three-pointer. VanVleet scored on a layup, Achuva scored a layup, and the first half ended, and the Lakers made it 59-55 for the Raptors.
In the third quarter, Siakam scored 2+1, Barnes broke the ball and countered the dunk, and the Raptors rebounded the score. Gabriel's empty three-pointer stopped the bleeding, Barnes pulled out a dry shot, and Howard hit both free throws. Barnes and Trent scored five straight points, Van Vlitlerra advanced, Barnes extended the advantage and Howard scored 2+1 to stop the bleeding. James countered with a 3-pointer, Howard hitting one of two free throws, Barnes throwing a shot and Westbrook taking advantage of the opportunity with an empty three-pointer. Siakam made one of two free throws before he scored on a layup. Achuva hit a three-pointer, Munch dunked, Augustine hit a straight three-pointer, and Trent hit both free throws. Achuva scored on a layup, Westbrook broke through, Butcher scored with a basket, and the Lakers made an 88-89 Raptors.
In the fourth quarter, James scored a layup, Bradley hit a three-pointer, and Boucher slammed his hands. James dunked and Achuva chased a three-pointer to help the Raptors rebound. Reeves assisted james with a dunk, Thaddeus Young hit a three-pointer and James made a layup. Reeves hit a three-pointer, Siakam threw a shot, Bradley hit a three-pointer, Siakam threw a score, Trent flew in, equalized, and stopped the Lakers. Barnes dunked, raptors rebounded. James hit a three-pointer, Barnes scored 2+1, James scored a layup, Trent hit a three-pointer, and James was also in color. Trent's key three-pointer, James and Westbrook's three-pointer missed, Westbrook hit a three-pointer, achieved a perfect draw, and the game went into overtime.
In overtime, Reeves cut in the air, VanVleet also scored with color, and James threw a throw. James hat Siakam, Barnes threw in, Reeves hit both free throws, and Trent picked up a basket to score. Siakam hit one of two free throws and Bradley hit a three-pointer. James key steal Barnes, the Lakers successfully won.
Two teams starting lineup:
Raptors: VanVleet, Trent, Barnes, Siakam, Birch;
Lakers: Westbrook, Munch, James, Gabriel, Howard;
The next match between the two sides:
March 20, 8:00, Lakers vs Wizards;
March 21 at 8:30 a.m., Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers;