Toronto Raptors: Top three games of the 2019-20 NBA season so far

at Los Angeles Lakers – November 10

As wins go, the victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at the start of the season was one of the best. Any time you beat one of the NBA’s elite on the road with a shorthanded unit, you’re looking at something special.

Heading into the game, the Raptors were without their best player, Kyle Lowry, and one of their most impactful players in Serge Ibaka, as well as Patrick McCaw – who’s performances have been mixed. At that point, though, he hadn’t suited up all season.

The odds were already against the Raptors heading into the game and even by halftime, they were down by eight points, giving up 60 in the first half. It was a first-half dominated by LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers bench. Troy Daniels (!) had 11 points which included 3-of-4 from deep and the Lakers were getting every look they wanted, shooting 57-percent from the field and 42-percent from three.

The second half was a completely different story as the Raptors mounted their comeback with their defense on full display. They held James to just four points on 1-of-8 shooting in the second half and, after a poor first half where he shot just 3-of-13, Pascal Siakam came alive.

Siakam scored 16 points in the second half while Fred VanVleet and Chris Boucher also hit double-digits for the game as the Raptors outscored the Lakers 61-44 in the second half, limiting the Lakers to 32-percent from the field and 28-percent from deep. The Raptors got out in transition and attacked the Lakers in the paint, drawing defenders in before constantly kicking it out to the three-point line.

Even without two of their best players, the Raptors went to Los Angeles and pulled out a win against all the odds.