Raptors prepare for rookie Lonzo Ball, Lakers on West Coast swing

Alec Gearty

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Raptors prepare for rookie Lonzo Ball, Lakers on West Coast swing image

The Toronto Raptors hope to spoil any celebration that Lakers rookie sensation Lonzo Ball has planned for tonight.

Ball, who turned 20 today (Oct. 27), will welcome the Raptors to Staples Center as Toronto continues its road-trip of the Western Conference. Kyle Lowry is tasked with the job of containing the No. 2 selection in the 2017 NBA Draft.

"I think he’s very good,” Lowry told media ahead of Friday’s game. "I think he’s a great playmaker. I think his passing abilities are on another level, they’re not on a rookie scale."

Ball has been the most talked about player to come out of June's draft — even if he hasn't been drawing the attention himself. Lonzo's father, LaVar, hasn't been quiet when it comes to the media. Now, Toronto comes face-to-face with the Lakers' hype man, who many criticize for frequently displaying his opinion. 

"He's a proud father," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said. "When I was in college, I recruited a lot of proud fathers and probably worse than Mr. Ball. It probably would have been worse if he was in Eastern Kentucky, so it's nothing new, but with the social media I don't think it bothers his son. His son is a fine young man and it shouldn't bother anybody else if it doesn't bother his son.

Through four games, Ball is averaging nearly 12 points per game and 11 assists. The Lakers sit at 2-2 and has shown that under Ball and small forward Brandon Ingram it can hang with some of the top teams in the league. Two days ago, the Lakers outscored the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Los Angeles came out on top with five players scoring in double-figures. 

Despite losing its first two on the western swing, Toronto has been just as good. The Raptors have lost by a combined nine points against San Antonio and Golden State, with the latter being decided in the game's final minute and a half.

Valanciunas injury update

Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas remains sidelined with a sprain ankle.

Valanciunas injured his ankle on Oct. 21 against the 76ers. Since then, he's remained very limited. He traveled with the Raptors to California and hopes to play before the road-trip ends. 

It's the same story for Lucas Nogueira as he is dealing with a sprained ankle. Nogueira returned to practice Thursday and is listed as doubtful.

If the two are out against the Lakers, it's more likely that Jakob Poeltl fills in the void. He's averaging 9.5 points and 9 rebounds per game. Against the Warriors, he had 27 minutes of playing time. 

Alec Gearty