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A worn-down Kobe Bryant called it a ”sub-par” performance. For the Los Angeles Lakers, it was the latest in a string of similar efforts by a struggling team.
Landry Fields had a season-high 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors sent the Lakers to their fifth straight road loss, 108-103 on Sunday.
Bryant scored 26 points and Pau Gasol had 25 for the Lakers, whose road skid is their longest in six years. Dwight Howard was ejected after drawing his second technical foul with 1:18 left in the first half.
The Lakers fell behind by 15 points midway through the first quarter and lost for the eighth time in 10 games.
”We’ve got a lot of issues,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. ”Offensively the ball sticks and we don’t take very good shots. Defensively, ups and downs, we forget guys.”
Jose Calderon had 22 points and nine assists while Ed Davis had 18 points and eight rebounds for Toronto. Alan Anderson added 14 points and eight assists as the Raptors ended a four-game losing streak against the Lakers.
”That was one of the most complete games we’ve had all year, top to bottom,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.
Bryant made 10 of 32 shots, including 3 of 12 on 3-pointers, and complained the ”heavy legs” had dulled his shooting effort…
Steve Nash scored 16 points and Earl Clark had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the poor-shooting Lakers.
— Reported by Ian Harrison of the Associated Press
