The Los Angeles Lakers (16-12) defeated the Toronto Raptors (9-20) 94-92 on Sunday afternoon at the Air Canada Centre! Kobe Bryant was his usual self, coming alive in the fourth quarter and nailed a baseline jumper with 4.6 seconds left to seal the game after the Lakers had squandered an 18 point lead at one point! The Lakers jumped out to a big lead early outscoring the Raptors 24-8 to start the first quarter and finish the frame 34-19, but the Raptors bench surged in the second, to close it to an 8 point lead going into halftime, 54-46! The Raptors outscored the Lakers 21-19 in the third quarter and took their first lead of the game with Linas Kleiza’s floater in the lane with 2:45 of the fourth quarter, making it 86-84! The game went down to the wire with teams trading baskets and Bryant’s crunch time basket with 4.6 seconds left, put the Lakers on top 93-92! On the ensuing inbound play at half court the Raptors made a crucial 5 second violation, as Rasual Butler was unable to get the ball into play, turning over the ball on an opportunity to take the lead! Bryant was then fouled making 1 of 2 free throws and the Raptors were able to make the inbound play to DeMar DeRozan who’s forced 3-point attempt came up empty as the buzzer sounded! The Lakers head home going 3-3 on their road trip and the Raptors are now 1-2 on a 7 game home stand! Bryant scored 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter and Pau Gasol played big for the Lakers with 16 points and 17 rebounds …

Tags: 201112, Game, Lakers, Raptors, Recap, Season