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Toronto Raptors beat LeBron and Lakers without Kawhi: 4 takeaways

By Paul Taylor

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors dunks in front of Josh Hart #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center on November 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors dunks in front of Josh Hart #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center on November 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors calls a play during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1) Best quarter of the season

If there were any doubts about the Raptors’ chances of winning on Sunday night, they were dispelled early. The team came storming out of the gates and put the Lakers firmly in their place.

The opening frame was arguably the Raptors’ most complete 12 minutes of the season so far. By the time the first quarter was over, they had a commanding 42-17 lead and never looked back.

At one point, the Raptors went on a 24-2 run, and were leading 41-10 with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Unsurprisingly, the Staples Center crowd booed the Lakers as they struggled to stay with the visitors.

In fairness, the home fans had every right to voice their displeasure, as they watched their team have one of the worst first quarters in franchise history. As per ESPN‘s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers had never been outscored by more than 24 points in an opening quarter in the shot-clock era (dating back to 1954-55).

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