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Lakers spoil Scottie Barnes’ career game as LeBron James delivers vintage performance

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© Provided by Sporting News

Scottie Barnes did everything he could to extend Toronto’s winning streak, but it wasn’t quite enough.

Led by LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, the Lakers defeated the Raptors in overtime to hand them their first loss in six games. Barnes did his best to keep the streak alive, scoring a career-best 31 points.

Barnes also grabbed 17 rebounds and dished out six assists. He made some history in the process, becoming only the fourth rookie of the last 20 years with a 25-15-5 game.

For more on Toronto’s loss to Los Angeles, some takeaways at the buzzer…

1. Pascal Siakam has a fan in Frank Vogel

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel had some nice things to say about Pascal Siakam before the game, calling him “one of the best players in the league.” Siakam missed out on being an All-Star this season, but he’s almost certainly going to get some All-NBA consideration with the way he’s trending.

2. LeBron James has eyes in the back of his head

All the proof you need:

3. Scottie Barnes sets the tone — again

When the Raptors and the Lakers met on Monday, Barnes set the tone for Toronto with 15 points in the first quarter. He wasn’t quite as dominant in the opening quarter on Friday, but he still posted 10 points to lead the way.

In fact, Barnes scored the first 10 points of the game for the Raptors.

Siakam and Fred VanVleet then got going to build on Barnes’ momentum.

4. Basketball is a game of inches

Barnes dominated from start to finish, but Gary Trent Jr. came up big for the Raptors down the stretch, draining a 3-pointer with 26.1 seconds remaining in regulation to give them a three-point lead.

Want to guess who on the Lakers responded with a 3-pointer of their own to force overtime? Westbrook, who is shooting … 27.7 percent from deep this season.

It wasn’t an easy shot either.

It’s been a tough season for Westbrook, but he delivered against the Raptors with 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds on 8-for-18 shooting from the field. It was one of the better games he’s played as of late.

5. LeBronto returns

As I detailed heading into this game, James has had quite a lot of success against the Raptors throughout his career.

Over his 11 seasons in Cleveland, James won 40 of his 52 matchups with Toronto, including the playoffs where his Cavaliers knocked the Raptors out in three consecutive seasons, two of which ended in sweeps. In Miami, James didn’t lose a single game against the Raptors, going a perfect 13-0.

The tables have turned since joining the Lakers, with James losing his previous six games against the Raptors entering this one. In winning on Friday, he recorded his first victory against the Raptors in the purple and gold.

James had a vintage performance with 35 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. He made big play…

…after big play, as he is wont to do when he’s in Toronto.

6. Impact on standings

The Raptors have been in the Play-In mix for a while now, but with the regular season drawing to a close, they find themselves in a battle with the Cavaliers for the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. Both teams had an identical record entering Friday’s games, so a Raptors loss and Cavaliers win gives Cleveland some breathing room.

If the Raptors finish the season with the No. 7 seed, they’ll have to play whichever team is in the No. 8 seed (currently the Nets) in the first round of the Play-In tournament. Win and they’re the advance to the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. Lose and they face the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game in the third round of the Play-In tournament. Lose that and their season is over. Win and they advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.

If the Raptors finish the season with the No. 6 seed, on the other hand, they skip the Play-In tournament entirely and face the No. 3 seed (currently the 76ers) in the first round of the playoffs.

No matter what happens, the Raptors are going to have a tough first-round matchup if they do make the playoffs, but there’s a lot more security being the No. 6 seed than No. 7 because anything could happen facing Kevin Durant or Trae Young in a win or go home game.

The Raptors face the Cavaliers one more time this season on March 24. That’s shaping up to be an important game for seeding.

7. What’s next?

The Raptors hit the road again for another back-to-back. First, they’ll travel to Philadelphia to take on the new-look 76ers on Sunday. Then, a trip to Chicago to face DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls on Monday.

Both will be worth tuning into. Catch you then.

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