BASKETBALL
Lakers' issues continue with blowout loss at home to Raptors
The Los Angeles Lakers didn't need this.
With rumours swirling in recent days about coach Luke Walton's job security, the Lakers came out flat at home against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, and never recovered en route to a 121-107 loss.
To make matters worse, the Lakers (4-6) caught the Raptors a man down, so to speak, with Toronto forward Kawhi Leonard unexpectedly missing the game due to a sore ankle.
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It didn't matter. The Raptors (9-1) came out hot and led the Lakers by 31 at one point in the first quarter. According to ESPN, they are the first home team in the past 20 seasons to trail by 30 or more points in the first quarter.
Serge Ibaka stood out for Toronto in Leonard's absence, scoring 26 in the first half and finishing with 34 points on 15-of-17 shooting.
Serge Ibaka has 18 PTS on a perfect 8-8 shooting! #WeTheNorth 34#LakeShow 10WATCH on League Pass pic.twitter.com/lsdlTk6Hze— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2018
Lakers president Magic Johnson met with Walton last Tuesday about the team's slow start, but Johnson told the Los Angeles Times the discussion had nothing to do with Walton’s job security and he’ll finish the season as the team's coach "unless something drastic happens, which it won't."
Yet, expectations in Los Angeles are exceedingly high this season with LeBron James on board. James had a so-so game — by his standards anyway — with 18 points in 28 minutes. But even if James were knocking down triple-doubles every night, he needs help, and the team needs to find its lineup chemistry.
Giannis dominates with triple-double
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in a win over the Sacramento Kings, including this brutal dunk over compatriot Kosta Koufos.
Run it back for Giannis! pic.twitter.com/V9tWwMYjDh— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2018
Aaron Gordon also scored 26 and added eight rebounds in the Orlando Magic's victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Sixers blown out in Brooklyn
The Philadelphia 76ers had 27 turnovers in a 122-97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. To put that in perspective, Philadelphia led the NBA in turnovers last season with 16.3 per game.
Booker backs himself in Memphis
Devin Booker calmly knocks down the game winner for the Phoenix Suns against the Memphis Grizzlies. He finished with 25 points.
Devin. Booker. Buckets. #TimeToRise pic.twitter.com/RWVj7pTda6— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2018
Meanwhile in Portland, Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Josh Okogie absolutely posterises Jusuf Nurkic on this dunk. However, Portland were comfortable 30-point winners.
— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2018
Saturday's results
Milwaukee Bucks 144-109 Sacramento Kings
Brooklyn Nets 122-97 Philadelphia 76ers
Washington Wizards 102-101 New York Knicks
Orlando Magic 117-110 San Antonio Spurs
Phoenix Suns 102-100 Memphis Grizzlies
Portland Trali Blazers 111-81 Minnesota Timberwolves
Toronto Raptors 121-107 Los Angeles Lakers
Celtics at Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are out to an incredible start that has included some quality wins, including one over the Golden State Warriors. They'll have their hands full with the Boston Celtics. Boston are looking to get back on track after seeing its four-game winning streak snapped by the Indiana Pacers in a last-second loss on Saturday night.
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