On Thursday, the Toronto Raptors witnessed immense sacrifice from LeBron James. At his side, Austin Reaves shone, vehemently resisting any rebellion from the Canadians. Meanwhile, it was another blow to the Golden State Warriors – much to the delight of the Philadelphia 76ers.
| Home | Away | Result |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Golden State Warriors | 99:98 |
| Washington Wizards | Boston Celtics | 101:146 |
| Brooklyn Nets | Utah Jazz | 110:123 |
| Toronto Raptors | Los Angeles Lakers | 120:123 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Minnesota Timberwolves | 116:125 |
Game of the night: Lakers win top game in Toronto
The Los Angeles Lakers (16-5) managed a last-second 123:120 away win over the Toronto Raptors (15-8) on Thursday without Luka Doncic (personal reasons). In a high-class duel between two top teams from the Western and Eastern Conference, both teams put up strong odds and were never able to gain more than 13 points (Lakers).
While the Lakers dominated the first half, the hosts were driven by Scottie Barnes (23 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists) and Brandon Ingram (20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) to turn the game in their favor.
But a key figure and a historical and decisive scene prevented this undertaking.
MVP of the night: Austin Reaves with an absurd quarter
The Raptors’ rebellion in the third quarter (40:33 from the Canadians’ perspective) was basically cushioned by one Lakers player single-handedly: Austin Reaves. Without Doncic in the lineup, the guard was in the form that was seen early in the season without LeBron James or Doncic in the lineup.
The 27-year-old gave the Raptors 22 of his 44 points in their Scotiabank Arena. He drove the Raptors supporters to despair both from a distance with some deep threes and with his creative way of getting to the line.
In 41 minutes played, Reaves went to the line 15 times (13 goals) and sank 5 of his 11 threes. There were also 10 assists and the initiation of the last play, which gave the Lakers their seventh away win in the twelfth game.
Scene of the night: LeBron sacrifices record series
With 1:46 minutes to go, LeBron James scored his points 7 and 8, restoring the score to 118:118. For the superstar, this ended a record series of 1,297 games in which he was always able to collect at least 10 points. This went back to 2007.
He did this in typical LeBron style by passing the ball to the better positioned teammate instead of going up for the game winner himself and thus keeping his personal record alive.
Reaves initially held the ball in his hands after a Lakers stop and Lakers coach JJ Redick decided not to call a timeout. The guard passed the ball from a double-team situation to James, who decided to drive, drawing the attention of the Raptors defense.
With a precise pass to the free-standing Rui Hachimura, James decided, as he had done so often in his career, to use his team’s free throw. The Japanese was able to place this in the ring from the left corner for the Lakers’ celebrated victory and let the Lakers leave the floor as winners.
Co-production of the night: 76ers celebrate Maxey and Edgecombe
The Philadelphia 76ers (12-9) defeated the weakened Golden State Warriors (11-12) thanks to a crazy final sequence at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philly. A game characterized by both defensive lines took off in a crazy way in the final minute, which remained scoreless until 0.9 seconds before the end.
Missed free throws, turnovers and two successful challenges from Warriors coach Steve Kerr and 76ers coach Nick Nurse paved the way for a crazy final possession. Out of a Sixers timeout with 8.2 seconds left on the clock, Tyrese Maxey got the ball.
This gave a heavy fadeway from the midrange that the returnee De’Anthony Melton got his hands on. However, that only resulted in rookie VJ Edgecombe being able to put the ball into the basket with 0.9 seconds left on the clock.
With no timeout remaining, Buddy Hield switched gears quickest and threw the ball forward to give the Warriors a chance to win. Maxey, who was rushing back, was able to get revenge on Melton for the blocked shot and in turn prevented Melton from scoring a potential game-winner at his own basket.
Voices of the night:
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers): “You have to play the game the right way and always make the right play. That’s always been my modus operandi and that’s how I was taught the game. I don’t question that for a second. As she [Austin Reaves] “When I doubled up and he found me, I knew we had the majority.”
Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) praises VJ Edgecombe: “We know he can score, we know he can pass (…) but he plays hard, he gets an extra rebound, passes the ball to someone, gets a deflection. (…) We appreciate him because he does exactly these things.”
Norman Powell (Miami Heat) on the LA Clippers: “I never thought they’d be 5-16. That’s something they have to deal with now. I’m not interested in them anymore.”
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) on his left foot injury that cost him a game on Sunday: “That’s what’s called old. You wake up with shit you didn’t have the night before.”