Thanks in large part to the franchise record-setting play of Kyle Lowry, the Toronto Raptors managed to top the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, 121-107.
The Raptors (9-1) are off to a great start this season, but they were without the services of Kawhi Leonard for Sunday's game against the Lakers. It didn't matter (much), as other role players stepped up in a big way.
Serge Ibaka had a career night against the Lakers, who haven't scored a victory against the Raptors since 2014. Through the first quarter, Ibaka had outscored Los Angeles by himself, and he didn't miss a shot until the third quarter. In 29 minutes of action, Ibaka scored a career-high 34 points on 15-of-17 shooting from the field (1-of-1 from beyond the arc, 3-of-3 from the free-throw line), 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“I was just focused,” Ibaka told ESPN. “I knew Kawhi was out tonight, so I just wanted to go out there and do my best.”
Ibaka played well, to be sure, but it was Lowry's passing that enabled such a performance. In 33 minutes of playing time, Lowry recorded 21 points on 8-of-19 shooting (3-of-7 from downtown), 15 assists, two steals and one block.
According to Reddit user WictoryBabcock, Lowry has set a new Raptors franchise record for eight straight games with 10 or more assists.
“They've been playing like they're the best team in the Eastern Conference so far,” LeBron James told ESPN after Sunday's game. “They just came out and hit us right in the mouth, and it's going to be very hard to make a game of that when you're trying to expend so much energy to get back into it.”
The Raptors will be back in action on Monday night, when they'll travel to Utah for a match-up against the Jazz. Tip-off inside Vivint Smart Home Arena is set for 9:00 p.m. EST.
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