Bryant returns but Lakers fall to Raptors
LOS ANGELES -- Despite the return of guard Kobe Bryant, the Toronto Raptors triumphed for the first time in the City of Angels in 12 years.
Forward Amir Johnson scored 32 points on 14 of 17 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading the Raptors to a 106-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers before a sellout crowd of 18,997 at Staples Center on Sunday night.
Toronto guard DeMar DeRozen scored 26 points and had three steals, while guard Kyle Lowery added 23 points, eight assists and three steals.
The win allowed the Raptors (7-12) to end a five-game losing streak and snap a 10-game skid to the Lakers (10-10) in L.A. Toronto hadn't won at Staples since earning an 89-86 win on Dec. 28, 2001.
Toronto won despite playing without star forward Rudy Gay, reserve center Aaron Gray and forward Quincy Acy. The three were dealt to the Sacramento Kings in a seven-player trade that was still pending before the game. The deal is expected to be approved by the NBA on Monday.
But that didn't prevent the Raptors from spoiling the return of Bryant, who played for the first time since going down almost eight months ago with a torn Achilles.
Bryant, who had the crowd roaring as soon as he and the Lakers took the floor for pregame warm-ups, showed rust early on, air balling his first shot. He committed three of the Lakers' nine turnovers in the first half, scored five points on 2-of-5 shooting, pulled down four rebounds and dished out three assists.
He finished with nine points and eight rebounds. Bryant also had eight turnovers.
Forward Nick Young led the Lakers with 19 points and forward Xavier Henry had 17. Guard Jodie Meeks finished with 14 points. No Lakers starter scored in double figures.
Bryant hit two free throws to pull the Lakers to within 89-85 with 4:50 remaining, but a 6-0 Toronto spurt boosted its lead back to double digits. That was too much for the Lakers to overcome.
The Lakers closed the third quarter with a 10-1 run, cutting Toronto's lead to 73-68.
The Raptors led by as much as 13 in the first half before settling for a 51-47 halftime lead. Johnson scored 23 of his points in the first half, hitting 10 of his 13 shots from the floor. DeRozan had 10 points in the half.
Guard Terrence Ross hit a 3-point shot from beyond half court to end the first quarter, giving the Raptors a 30-20 lead.
NOTES: Lakers G Kobe Bryant entered the game averaging 28.3 points per game in 29 previous contests against the Raptors. It is the second-highest scoring average for an opposing player, with Allen Iverson's 29.7 points in 38 games ranked first. ... Toronto G DeMar DeRozan topped 5,000 career points in the first half. DeRozan, a Los Angeles native, is one of only five players in franchise history to top the mark. Chris Bosh (10,275), Vince Carter (9,420), Andrea Bargnani (6,581), Morris Peterson (6,498) and Jose Calderon (5,235) are the others. ... Raptors PF Tyler Hansbrough missed the game with a sprained left shoulder. His status is unknown. ... Lakers PF Chris Kaman sat out with back spasms. He is listed as day-to-day. ... The Lakers held a moment of silence before the game for late South African former president Nelson Mandela.
