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LeBron James and Anthony Davis put on a show in the Lakers’ win over the Raptors
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LeBron James and Anthony Davis put on a show in the Lakers’ win over the Raptors

TORONTO, CANADA – NOVEMBER 1: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers rises.

Lakers forward Anthony Davis grabs a rebound in Friday’s 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors. Davis finished the game with 38 points and 12 rebounds. (Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)

People here know it.

For the 75th time in his NBA career, LeBron James took the court to face the Toronto Raptors. And before Friday, James’ team had won 56 of them, including three playoff series.

Still, fans in Toronto always look forward to James’ annual appearance in Canada, cheering every time he enters the game – only to watch him leave town with another win.

Friday’s 14-point first quarter set the tone, with James casually harassing a young Toronto team early before the Lakers won 131-125.

Read more: Lakers star LeBron James supports Kamala Harris for president

Before the game, James bounced around the locker room, the illness that had slowed him for the past week mostly gone from his body. He arrived at the arena wearing the Ghostface mask from “Scream” and wasted no time terrorizing the Raptors, even though Halloween was a day early.

After the first two losses of the season, James and the Lakers are recommitting to many of the principles that coach JJ Redick tried to teach them earlier this season.

The Lakers, who faltered against Cleveland on Wednesday, opened Friday’s game with pace and precision and quickly built a 21-point lead, with Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic angrily calling a timeout every few possessions.

But while the Lakers led by 25 points at halftime, the Raptors were far from over, getting back into the game and getting within single digits several times in the second half.

But James’ depth – he had 27 points and 10 assists – combined with great shooting from Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell and the return to form of Anthony Davis kept the Raptors from ever pushing forward.

Gradey Dick scored 31 points and tried to go within three with less than a minute, but the shot missed. RJ Barrett scored 33 points to lead the Raptors, with Toronto playing without starters Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley.

Davis made two free throws to secure the Lakers’ fourth win of the season. He led the Lakers with 38 points and 12 rebounds. Davis has scored at least 30 points in each of the Lakers’ four wins.

While the game became close in the second half after Toronto outscored the Lakers by 14 points in the third quarter, the only notable hiccup came in the second quarter when Austin Reaves twisted his ankle and had to return to the locker room.

He was able to play in the second half despite showing some signs of discomfort.

The Lakers are still without Christian Wood and Jared Vanderbilt as the two recover from offseason surgeries. Redick said Vanderbilt is making progress, but he’s not close to playing yet.

“He had mild discomfort, no setbacks. I think the discomfort is normal as he has increased his activities on the field since he has undergone two surgeries,” Redick said before the game. “But yes, he is making progress. But I don’t think he’ll be a day or two away from playing. We will have another update in about a week.”

The Lakers’ journey continues on Monday in Detroit against the Pistons.

Read more: Bronny James meets for the first time in Cleveland, where he dreamed of making it to the NBA while his father, LeBron, played

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

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