LeBron James at 39 years old, proving he’s still unstoppable and still has game. Lakers beat the Raptors 128-111.
TORONTO- Tuesday April 2, 2024. – Scotiabank Arena.
I was able to get a ticket to this game. Arrived at Scotiabank Arena and there were a lot of LA Lakers jersey both of Kobe and LeBron James. I tried to get to my seat in my section behind the Lakers bench during pre-game warm up. James was doubtful for tonights game because of a knee injury he was dealing with and he took to warm up to test it out. I was not able to get to my seat and stuck in the isle behind people that blocked my way to getting to my seat, Fans just standing in the isle pulling out their cell phones and taking pictures and video every time James touched the ball to go in for a lay up or take a jumper. That didn’t stop until the end of warm up a few minutes before the start of the game. Once the horn blew to end warm up, the crowd dissipates as people thanked and apologized to me for blocking me from getting to my seat so they could take their pictures and videos of LeBron James in warm up.
Raptors Starters: RJ Barrett: 28pts, I Quickly: 20pts, G Dick: 14pts, K Olynyk: 14pts. Bench Points: 3 raptors players each with 6pts and 2 players with 5pts.
Lakers Starters: L James: 23pts, A Davis: 21pts, D Russell: 25pts, R Hachimura: 14pts, A Reaves: 7pts. Bench Points: M Christie: 12pts, S. Dinwiddle: 9pts.
No Scottie Barnes for the Raptors (injured finger) so it’s up to RJ Barrett, 1st round draft pick Grady Dick, youngster, Immanuel Quickly and senior 33 year old Kelly OIynk to get the job tonight agains the Lakers. I settle in take my seat and hear the public address announcer reading the starting line ups for the visiting LA Lakers and when LeBron James was mentioned the crowd erupted into huge cheers. It’s a go, Lebron James is playing tonight. James sits at the very end of the bench next to the security guard sitting down in the chair next to james and right next to him is one of Toronto Finest (uniformed Toronto Police Officer) standing next to security guard. No fan is getting near James tonight. Players take off their warm up gear and take their position on the floor for the jump ball.
1st Quarter– The game begins and the Lakers score the fist points of the game 15 seconds into it. As Anthony Davis sporting a new pair of his kicks in the “Miami Vice” colour way. Getting 2 points by making a alley pop lay up assisted from LeBron James. The raptors first point didn’t come until the 1 minute into the game and from that point it was a back and forth affair.
2nd Quarter– James starts to find his rhythm. Every time James touched the ball the raptors were all over him sometimes double teaming him which draws players away from other lakers players and Lebron just passes it to wide open team makes. Or James just drives dribbles right through the opostion to get his 2 pts or is either fouled and goes to the line for 2. The raptors kept the game close up until half time with the score, LAKERS 64 -RAPTORS 58 at the half.
3rd Quarter– I have seen this movie before and its not a re-run. More of the same from James as he hits a 3 pointer on the other side and corner of the floor from me. Raptors slowly start letting the game get away from them as its obvious their talent can’t match the lakers. The Lakers bench player Christie contributed 12 pts. Raptors bench players no where near that. The game is over by the end of the 3rd quarter with the lakers having a 20 point lead going into the 4th quarter.
4th Quarter– Lakers resting players Anthony Davis sat entire fourth quarter and LeBron Games subbed out with 9:22 minute left in the game. Finally buzzer sounds, LA Lakers 128- Toronto Raptors 111.
GAME RECAP: This is the 7th raptors game i have been to this season and the same pattern still exist. The game gets away from the raptors with 20 point deficient that they cant come back from it.
The Good: Lebron James able to play for the LA Lakers tonight. Watching LeBron James live in person playing basketball and is still unstoppable at 39 years old.
The Bad: The raptors lose.
The Ugly: The raptors are a very bad team now.
For more information on the Toronto Raptors visit: https://www.nba.com/team/1610612761/raptors
Thank you to: ESPN
