Dončić Shows No Mercy for Rajaković! Luka Sets Record with 45-Point Masterclass, Finds New On-Court Sparring Partner /VIDEO/

Luka Dončić drained eight three-pointers and extended his early lead in the NBA scoring race, posting at least 37 points for the fourth consecutive game. The Slovenian superstar hit that mark through just three quarters against Toronto before sealing the victory late, recording 40 or more points for the 20th time in his 98 regular-season appearances in a Lakers uniform.

Austin Reaves scored 19 points and Walker Kessler added 16 points along with 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who bounced back strongly from Friday's 17-point defeat against Golden State, in which they blew a 25-point lead.

Scottie Barnes had 29 points and RJ Barrett chipped in with 22 for the Raptors, who tipped off their four-game road trip by suffering their third loss in their last four contests.

The Lakers held a commanding 102-76 lead over Toronto with 1:30 left in the third quarter, but the Raptors managed to trim the deficit to single digits before Dončić and Reaves orchestrated a decisive 9-1 run.

Toronto's bench then exploded for 11 points in just 40 seconds after the Lakers pulled their starters with 1:43 remaining, cutting a 16-point deficit to 125-120 and forcing Dončić, Reaves, and Kessler back onto the floor for the closing possessions.

Kawhi Leonard missed his fourth straight game for Toronto due to a knee injury. He will also sit out when the Raptors visit the Intuit Dome on Monday to face an unhappy Clippers fanbase.

Dončić posted at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals for the second time as a Laker, a stat line no other player for the franchise has recorded in a single game since the 1982-83 season.

Dončić enjoyed another monster opening quarter, putting up 16 points fueled by four three-pointers. By halftime, he had already racked up 24 points and eight rebounds. Lakers first-round pick Cameron Carr made his NBA debut over the final 1:43 of the contest after missing the first six games with an oblique injury.

Dončić didn't pass up the opportunity to get into another heated exchange, with Scottie Barnes on the receiving end this time around.

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