Building on their historic five straight wins on their trip west (San Antonio, Phoenix, Denver, Lakers, Clippers), the Raptors found the Lakers, this time in Toronto on Friday night, to try to follow up and keep the pressure on Cleveland in the race for sixth place.
Against the Los Angeles team they had dominated earlier in the week, we might expect another victory. It was unfortunately without counting on a very great LeBron James (36 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists) well supplemented by Russell Westbrook (22 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) decisive to equalize at the end of regulation time.
Despite an XXL performance from Scottie Barnes (31 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists), Toronto suffered tactical adjustments from Franck Vogel (see analysis) and lost in overtime (128-123).
An extra period that should not have been played with better management of the last possession of regulation time, where the Raps led by 3 points and had the ball to conclude the game on free throws…
