Nick Young, Ryan Kelly lead Lakers to 112-106 win over Raptors
TORONTO -- The Lakers won consecutive games for the first time in almost a month, beating the Toronto Raptors, 112-106, on Sunday at Air Canada Centre.
Swingman Nick Young had 29 points off the bench after serving a one-game suspension for punching Phoenix guard Goran Dragic. Rookie forward Ryan Kelly had 17 points in his first NBA start.
The Lakers were sharp from three-point range, especially Young, who made five of seven. The Lakers were 12 for 22 (54.5%) from long range as a team and improved to 2-1 on their annual Grammy trip. They beat Boston, 107-104, on Friday.
The Lakers hadn’t won consecutive games since Dec. 17 and 20.
The Lakers (16-25) started poorly on defense, letting Toronto take a 58-54 lead, with the Raptors shooting 58% in the first half.
But they were better in the second half, especially down the stretch.
Kelly and Young scored 14 of the Lakers’ last 18 points, with Kelly starting their final push on a fall-down leaner with 6:20 to play.
Young added a key three-pointer for a 108-103 lead with 1:21 to play. He made all four free throws he attempted in the final 20 seconds.
Guard DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points to lead Toronto (20-19).
Raptors 58, Lakers 54 (halftime)
Pau Gasol had 12 points and Jodie Meeks added nine but the Lakers were again sloppy on defense, allowing the Raptors to shoot 58.1% from the field in the first half and take a four-point lead heading into halftime.
Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan had 16 points on seven-for-11 shooting while forward Patrick Patterson added 14 points off the bench, making six of seven shots.
The Lakers (15-25) are hoping to catapult themselves into another victory after beating Boston on Friday.
Rookie forward Ryan Kelly has three points in the first half of his first NBA start.
The Raptors (20-18) are in third place in the watered-down Eastern Conference.
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