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Lakers at Raptors: 10 Things to Know (3/27/15)

Here is what you need to know before the Lakers take the floor against the Toronto Raptors.

1)
Ed Davis currently holds the NBA’s second-best offensive rating (126.1), as he is tied with DeAndre Jordan and behind Tyson Chandler (132.2). The first-year Laker is averaging 8.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 23.6 minutes, while shooting 61.6 percent from the field.

2)
Davis is returning to the city where he started his NBA career, as he spent his first two and a half seasons with the Raptors. The 25-year-old averaged 7.7 points and 6.2 rebounds during his time in Toronto.

3)
Last time these teams met up, the Lakers exploded for a season-high 129 points in a seven-point, overtime victory on Nov. 30. However, since then L.A. has lost Kobe Bryant, who poured in 31 points and a triple-double against Toronto.

4)
However, the Raptors have also lost their leading scorer from that game, as first time all-star Kyle Lowry is out with back spasms. Lowry, who went off for 29 points in Los Angeles, is currently 10th in the league in assists (6.9).

5)
A trio of Raptors have roots that lead back to Southern California. DeMar DeRozan grew up in Compton and then attended Compton High and USC. Amir Johnson is also from Los Angeles and went to Westchester High, while Landry Fields was born in Long Beach and played for Los Alamitos High.

6)
DeRozan has been on a tear lately, scoring 20 or more points in 12 of his last 13 games. During this span, the former Trojan is averaging 23.8 points while shooting 44.3 percent from the field (105-for-237) and 92.9 percent on free throws (92-for-99).

7)
The Raptors boast two of the most efficient scorers in the league in Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas. Johnson currently ranks third in the league in field goal percentage (57.4), while Valanciunas is right behind him at 57.4 percent.

Amir Johnson Shot Chart
Amir Johnson Shot Chart

8)
Lou Williams is one of the frontrunners for the Sixth Man of the Year award, scoring the third-most points (15.1) among reserves. However, unlike Johnson and Valanciunas, Williams’ field goal percentage has sunken to the lowest of his career. In fact, Williams is currently shooting the second-worst percentage (39.8) among bench players.

9)
Since the All-Star Game, Toronto has gone just 6-13 despite entering the break with the league’s fourth-best record (36-17). During the 19 games since, the Raptors have also grabbed the NBA’s second-fewest rebounds (40.5).

10)
Toronto makes the most of what its opponents give it, ranking second in free throw percentage (79.0). The Raptors also take the fourth-most foul shots (24.8) and make the third-most (19.6).