NBA news and highlights: Raptors edge Warriors in OT, LeBron leads Lakers to feisty win

Yash Matange

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NBA news and highlights: Raptors edge Warriors in OT, LeBron leads Lakers to feisty win image

Only three games of NBA action took place on Friday, but they still provided plenty of big moments, talking points and some 'jump out of your chair' highlights.

If you missed any of the games, we've got you covered with all the top storylines, best fantasy performers, can't-miss highlights and box scores from everything around the Association.

Top Storylines

Kawhi, Raptors beat shorthanded Warriors in OT

The Toronto Raptors needed five extra minutes against the shorthanded two-time defending champions, despite leading by as many as 18 in the first quarter. 

Kevin Durant had a huge part in that, dropping 51 points on 58.1% shooting, his third straight 40+ point game. His match-up Kawhi Leonard, who had the luxury of a deeper team to rely on, put up 37 points on 58.3% shooting.  The Raptors' starting power forward Pascal Siakam, who had a career-night of 26 points on 80% shooting, played a huge role in the team's early big lead. 


Although they came out on the losing side, the Warriors showed plenty of fight to force overtime, while missing two key All-Stars in Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Luckily for them, Durant was in the zone, hitting tough shot after tough shot, including a pair of impossible late threes to sent int to OT.


 

Toronto who extended their win streak to seven with this one, see their league-best record improve to 19-4. Meanwhile, the Warriors, who are on a five-game, nine-day road trip will next play in Detroit on Sunday, with their 2-time MVP Stephen Curry available.

Both teams play each other in Oakland in a couple of weeks on Dec. 13. 

LeBron leads Lakers to feisty win

LeBron James had a monster game to lead the Lakers to a much-needed win against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, snapping the LA franchise out of their short 2-game losing streak. 

They started strong, racing to an early 13-0 lead and finished the first quarter with a 23-point advantage, but the visitors quickly erased the deficit to a six-point game by outscoring the Lakers 35-18 in the second quarter. From then on, the game was a neck-and-neck battle, but a key 14-4 run late in the fourth quarter ensured the Lakers picked up a win in the first contest of a four-game home stand. 

The King played a huge role in this win, involved in all 14 points in that run, scoring 11 and assisting on a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope three-pointer, climbing the ladder on an all-time chart in the process. 


The Lakers play their second home game on the back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. 

Note: The Pacers were playing without their All-Star Victor Oladipo.

Best fantasy performers

Kevin Durant: 51 points (18-of-31 FG's), 11 rebounds, and 6 assists

Kawhi Leonard: 37 points (14-of-24 FG's), 8 rebounds, and 3 assists 

Pascal Siakam: 26 points (8-of-10 FG's), 8 rebounds

LeBron James: 38 points (15-of-27 FG's), 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals

De'Aaron Fox: 17 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals

Tobias Harris: 28 points (11-of-17 FG's), 6 rebounds, and 4 assists

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 17 points (6-of-9 FG's), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks 

Montrezl Harrell: 24 points (8-of-10 FG's), and 6 rebounds

Can't-miss highlights

KD led the second-half fightback, including this dagger corner three with Kawhi draped all over him to force overtime:


The Lakers were dominating the Pacers in the first quarter with their defense. It fueled their offense and here's just a short glimpse of what went down in the first quarter:


Defense to offense for the Clippers in Sacramento: 


A historic bucket for the King: 


Box scores

Warriors at Raptors | Pacers at Lakers | Clippers at Kings

 

Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo