Post-Kawhi Raptors snap Lakers’ 7-game win streak
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The centerpiece of the Toronto Raptors' championship team works at Staples Center now. Two more key components of last season's sublime roster got injured right before the Raptors arrived in Los Angeles for the reunion.
In the opening weeks of life after Kawhi, the defending champs are learning they might be deeper than even they realized.
They definitely had enough to hold off Staples' marquee tenants in a remarkable early-season win.
Pascal Siakam had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Fred VanVleet finished with 23 points and 10 assists and the Raptors snapped the Los Angeles Lakers' seven-game winning streak with a 113-104 victory Sunday night.
Chris Boucher matched his career high with 15 points for the Raptors, who have won three straight and six of seven. Two days after they lost starter Kyle Lowry to a broken left thumb and top reserve Serge Ibaka to a sprained right ankle, Toronto still made a decisive rally with four reserves on the floor early in the fourth quarter before hanging on late for its 10th consecutive win over the Lakers.
"I think everybody that stepped out there didn't only contribute, but they played awesome," Toronto coach Nick Nurse said.
Norman Powell scored 14 points while starting in Lowry's spot for Toronto, but every starter except Siakam was watching from the bench when the Raptors made a 17-6 run to start the fourth with nine points from Boucher. The Raptors also got 10 points from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in his first game action since Oct. 26, while rookie Terence Davis reached career highs of 13 points, three assists and five rebounds in his 17 minutes.