Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors Recap March 10, 2023

The Toronto Raptors faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, and the game ended with the Lakers coming out on top, with a final score of 122-112. The game was closely contested throughout, with the Raptors taking a slim lead at the end of the first quarter with a score of 35-31. However, the Lakers came back strong in the second quarter, outscoring the Raptors 39-27 and taking a 8-point lead into halftime.

OG Anunoby had a stellar performance for the Raptors, scoring 31 points on 12-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Scottie Barnes also had a strong showing, putting up 32 points on 13-of-19 shooting and dishing out seven assists. Jakob Poeltl added 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite the impressive performances from Anunoby and Barnes, the Lakers would answer back. D'Angelo Russell led the way with 28 points, including 5-8 from three-point range, and also dished out nine assists. Dennis Schroder finished with 23 points, seven assists, and six steals, while Austin Reaves had 18 points and five assists. Jarred Vanderbilt also had a solid game for the Lakers, scoring 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Rui Hachimura came off the bench to score 16 points on 7-9 shooting from the field.

The win improves the Lakers' record to 33-34. The game was a closely contested matchup between two teams fighting to stay in playoff contention. While the Raptors were able to stay close for most of the game, the Lakers were able to take control in the fourth quarter and hold on for the win. Both teams will have to continue to play at a high level if they want to make it to the playoffs this season.

D'Angelo Russell Will Return Tonight Against The Raptors

Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell is set to return to the lineup on Friday after a six-game absence due to a right ankle sprain. Lakers coach Darvin Ham said that Russell would not face any playing time restrictions and would be "pretty much a full go".

The guard, who has been practicing with coaches, but not playing in full team scrimmages, said he was not concerned about returning to the game. He will rejoin the starting backcourt, with Dennis Schroder heading to the bench unit. Russell has averaged 13.5 points and 5.0 assists in four games since joining the Lakers at the trade deadline, and Schroder has been impressive in his absence, averaging 14.3 points and 8.5 assists.

The Lakers have been dealing with several injuries, with backup center Mo Bamba expected to be out for at least four weeks due to a high left ankle sprain. Despite the injuries, the Lakers have registered the best defensive rating in the NBA since the All-Star break. The Lakers are currently the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, and they are just two games behind the Golden State Warriors for the No. 5 spot. 

Russell compared the remaining games to a team starting the playoffs, needing to secure 16 wins to earn the title. He said that it would be one game at a time and that the intensity would increase as the playoffs approached.

Mo Bamba Out For Four Weeks

In Sunday's game against the Golden State Warriors, Mo Bamba sustained a high ankle sprain, and the Lakers have announced that Mo Bamba he will be out for at least four weeks. Bamba's absence will undoubtedly be felt, as he is a key player on the team's bench. His ability to block shots, secure rebounds, and hit 3-pointers will be sorely missed.

The Lakers will now have to go small whenever Davis isn't on the floor, unless they end up picking up another true center. The Lakers' bench is already thin, and losing Bamba for an extended period will make things even more challenging.

The Lakers' injury issues have been a topic of discussion throughout the league. While injuries are a part of the game, it's been difficult for the Lakers to maintain their consistency and perform at the level that they are capable of with so many players out.

The team is hopeful that they can overcome these injuries and make a strong push to make the playoffs. With so many talented players on their roster, the Lakers have the potential to make a deep run in the postseason. However, they will need to stay healthy if they want to achieve their goals.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Recap March 7, 2023

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 112-103 in a closely contested game. The Lakers were led by Anthony Davis, who recorded a double-double with 30 points and 22 rebounds along with four blocks. Dennis Schroder also played a crucial role in the victory, contributing 17 points and nine assists. The Grizzlies were paced by Jaren Jackson Jr., who tallied 26 points and eight rebounds.

The Grizzlies struggled with their shooting, making just 38.7% of their field goals and 24.3% of their three-point attempts. Despite their shooting woes, the Grizzlies stayed competitive thanks to their ability to get to the free throw line, making 22 of their 29 attempts from the charity stripe. The Lakers on the other hand shot 47.1% from the field and 31.6% from three-point range. Davis himself would make 11 of his 17 field goal attempts.

The victory was a much-needed one for the Lakers, who have struggled with injuries and inconsistency throughout the season. With the win, they improve to 33-34 on the year and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot. The next Lakers game will be against the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors Recap March 5, 2023

In a highly anticipated match-up, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 113-105 on Sunday afternoon. The Lakers were led by an outstanding performance from Anthony Davis, who scored 39 points on 14-of-25 shooting, while also contributing eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and zero turnovers.

The Warriors struggled to get going early, as the Lakers raced out to a 33-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lakers would lead as much as 20 at one point, but the Warriors fought back to get within one. However, the Lakers were able to hold on to secure the win.

Steph Curry led the Warriors with 27 points, Klay Thompson added 22 points, while Draymond Green had a solid all-around game with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and no turnovers.

For the Lakers, Davis was the star of the show, but he had plenty of help from his supporting cast. Austin Reaves had 16 points, while Troy Brown Jr. chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds. Jarred Vanderbilt had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The win was a big one for the Lakers, as with just 17 games remaining in the regular season, every win is crucial, and the Lakers will look to build on this victory as they head into the home stretch. The Lakers will play the Memphis Grizzlies next on Tuesday.