Kobe Bryant expected to play tonight as Lakers host Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry runs up court against the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 3.
After sitting out the Lakers’ loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday to rest, Kobe Bryant is expected to play on Friday night at Staples Center as the Lakers (2-9) host the Toronto Raptors (7-6).
Toronto is one of 11 teams in the Eastern Conference with at least a .500 record, but are currently slotted in ninth place.
The Lakers are struggling to put together four complete quarters of basketball this season.
The Raptors are without Terrence Ross (thumb). The Lakers had no injuries to report.
Key matchup
Point guard Kyle Lowry drives the Toronto offense.
The veteran is averaging 20.3 points and 6.3 assists a game, while shooting 40.9% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range. Lowry is also generating 2.6 steals a night.
The Lakers aren’t as experienced or productive at the position with rookie D’Angelo Russell at 9.5 points a game with 2.7 assists. The team’s second overall pick is shooting 39.3% and 31.0%, respectively.
In addition to Russell, the Lakers also play Lou Williams, Marcelo Huertas and Jordan Clarkson at the point.
X-factor
As important as Lowry is to the Raptors’ offense, guard DeMar DeRozan is the team’s leading scorer at 21.1 points a game.
DeRozan has improved significantly since his days at USC. He’s become a capable defender, while also averaging 4.5 assists a game this season. While he’s shooting 42.3% from the field, DeRozan doesn’t have great three-point range, hitting at just 16.7%.
The Lakers will probably play Clarkson against DeRozan in the backcourt, though Bryant will certainly match up at times against the Raptors guard as well.
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Clarkson’s 15.7 points a game is second on the Lakers to Bryant’s 16.9.
Outlook
The Lakers fell off on Monday against the Suns and haven’t played since. The Raptors are four nights into a five-game road trip and could be vulnerable.
Despite what looks like a scheduling advantage for the Lakers, put down the Raptors for the win at Staples Center on Friday.
Email Eric Pincus at Pincus at [email protected] him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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