![\"NBA:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27726458.jpg\")
Dec 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) dribbles the ball past Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nThe Toronto Raptors go for their ninth straight home victory Thursday night while also trying to snap their run of five consecutive losses to the Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Raptors last defeated the Lakers when they earned a 126-113 home verdict on Dec. 7, 2022.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Toronto is on a five-game homestand that opened Tuesday with a 121-118 victory over the depleted Portland Trail Blazers, who overcame a 16-point deficit to pull within two late in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Lakers had their seven-game winning streak stopped in a sloppy 125-108 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday. The Lakers committed 21 turnovers that led to 32 points for Phoenix, so they’ll be looking to improve that in Toronto.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Before defeating Portland, the Raptors lost at the New York Knicks on Sunday and at Charlotte in overtime on Saturday, ending a nine-game winning streak. Because they squandered a 17-point lead against the Hornets, the game against Portland started to look like a rerun.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n But on Tuesday, led by 28 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two blocked shots from Scottie Barnes, the Raptors barely held on.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “This was a big-time win for us, we really needed it,” Barnes said. “We dropped those two back-to-back. Really feel like we should have had that first one. (Good to) get back in the win column and finish out the game.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Barnes showed why he was named the Eastern Conference Defensive Player for October\/November when he blocked a Deni Avdija floater shot in the final seconds on Tuesday to help withstand Portland’s rally.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n An important element for the Raptors was their 43-39 advantage in live-ball rebounds, which included a 10-9 edge on the offensive boards.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n “That was a big battle for us,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “Obviously, we talked about it before the game, and we knew who we were facing, and they are a really, really (hard) matchup when it comes to that. We put a lot of work into it over the course of the game.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Reserve Jamal Shead provided a spark in the first half with his five steals.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “His energy in the first half really got us going,” Rajakovic said. “In the first half, we had a slow start there, they caught fire, they were shooting the ball really well. And when Jamal came in the game, it really gave us energy and a couple of steals that he had started us off.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Lakers open a stretch of three road games in four nights when they play Toronto.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Well, the road trip should always refocus you, no matter how you’re playing,” said LeBron James, who had 10 points and three turnovers in 31 minutes on Monday. “So, I don’t think it took for us to have this game tonight to refocus us.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Luka Doncic had 38 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in the loss, but he also committed a career-high-tying nine turnovers.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Yeah, that was my fault,” Doncic said. “No way I can have nine turnovers in the game. So, in that second quarter, they’re giving the shots. Instead of shooting the ball, I feel like I was trying to get (everyone) involved. But there’s no way I should have nine turnovers.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Austin Reaves had 16 points and five turnovers.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n