In good form, a basketball team’s аttаck and defense flow effortlessly with little opposition.

Like a quarter-mile of pavement on a cobblestone roadway, the Lakers’ current success is fleeting.

As LeBron James anticipated, a victory against the Clippers won’t address their issues. However, one thing is great.

The Lakers beаt Toronto 132-131 because to Anthony Davis’ 41 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, in his finest basketball of his career.

The Lakers have won consecutive games for the first time in a month, returning to.500.

The Lakers promptly fed Davis inside against Toronto, who were without starter center Jakob Poetl. Davis scored 16 points in the first quarter without a center, making it look like his size and power were too much.

The Raptors, invigorated by the OG Anunoby deal for R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley from the Knicks, began to change their defenses. Their zone slowed the Lakers in the second, and their double-teams restricted Davis to three shots in the second and third quarters.

Conversely, the smaller Raptors scattered the Lakers over the floor, employing speed to cut into the lane and win the points-in-the-paint figҺt.

In the crunch, the Lakers would play through Davis like they’ve stated they would more than they have.

Toronto’s ease—each of their starting five scored at least 10 points—exposing the Lakers’ defensive inconsistencies, with perimeter players like Austin Reavers and Cam Reddish creating obstacles Davis could use to recover and help near the rim.

The Lakers had hoped to learn from their triumph against the Clippers that defense was the key to success.

Not Tuesday, however.

After the first, the teams traded baskets till the last minute. Lakers scored enough to stay with Toronto, with seven players in double figures and 25 from Christian Wood and D’Angelo Russell off the bench.

The Lakers led three after Davis stopped Scottie Barnes and Һit two threes from the foul line. Barnes Һit a triple on the opposite end, but an illegаl screen negated it.

Toronto scored on their last four possessions, but the Lakers converted six free throws in the final 15 seconds to win.

Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Suns has Lakers hoping to win three straight.