Here is what you need to know before the Lakers tip off the New Year against the Toronto Raptors.
1)
The Lakers are looking to begin 2017 like they did 2016 when they beat the Philadelphia 76ers on New Year’s Day. Lou Williams put up half of his team-high 24 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Lakers in one of their top moments of the year.
2)
Last time these teams met up, the Raptors thumped the Lakers by 33 as part of their six-game win streak on Dec. 2. Brandon Ingram had a nice 17-point outing for Los Angeles, but Toronto shot a steamy 54.2 percent from the field and enjoyed a 41-point second quarter.
3)
A win over the 22-10 Raptors would certainly help wash out the flavor of a 12-point loss to Dallas. Despite leading for most of the first half on Thursday, the Lakers’ shooting went frigid in the second as they were outscored 51-32.
4)
For all the talk of Golden State adding Kevin Durant to an already historic offense, the Raptors are the ones leading the NBA in offensive efficiency, averaging 113.5 points per 100 possessions — just 0.2 ahead of the Warriors. Toronto leaves little margin for error, averaging the league’s most free throws (20.8), second-fewest turnovers (11.9), third-most points (110.8) and third-best 3-point percentage (38.9).
5)
Compton native DeMar DeRozan has continued his career year for Toronto, ranking sixth in the NBA in scoring (27.4) and seventh in free throws (7.3) while making a league-high 223 total jump shots. Since playing the Lakers on Dec. 2, the USC product has cemented himself in Raptors history by becoming the franchise leader in both scoring and games played.
6)
DeRozan’s other half in one of the league’s best backcourts is Kyle Lowry, who is also having his best season yet. Lowry has been money from deep, hitting the NBA’s third-most 3-pointers (3.4) and the seventh-best percentage from deep (44.4), while also averaging the seventh-most assists (7.3).
7)
Lowry is a guy who always puts on a show against the Lakers, scoring 20-plus points in all of his last six games against L.A. He burned the purple and gold from deep last month, knocking down six 3-pointers en route to 24 points.
8)
Lakers assistant coach Jesse Mermuys is quite familiar with this opponent, considering he spent the last three years in the Raptors organization. He was a Toronto assistant for his first two seasons before becoming head coach of the D-League’s Raptors 905 last year, guiding them to a 23-27 record — the best ever by an expansion team.
9)
Two of Mermuys’ players on Raptors 905 last year — Norman Powell and Lucas Nogueira — are currently playing significant minutes for Toronto. In particular, Nogueira has helped beef up the defensive end by averaging the league’s ninth-most blocks (1.76) and leading it in blocks per 48 minutes (4.37).
10)
Toronto’s defense hinges on the battle of giveaways, as it leads the league in both steals (9.3) and points off turnovers (19.8). Meanwhile, the Raptors only allow the second-fewest points off turnovers on the other end (19.8).
Injury Report
Lakers: D’Angelo Russell (sore left knee) is probable. Larry Nance Jr. (bone bruise, left knee) is out.
Raptors: Patrick Patterson (strained left knee) is questionable. Jared Sullinger (left foot surgery) and Delon Wright (right shoulder surgery) are out.
Tip-off: 6:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW