Deadspin | NBA roundup: Defensive-minded Lakers collect win over Raptors

[ad_1] Jan 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers middle Deandre Ayton (5) shoots in opposition to Toronto Raptors ahead Collin Murray-Boyles (12) through the first half at Crypto.com Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures Deandre Ayton scored 25 factors with 13 rebounds and Luka Doncic additionally had 25 factors because the host Los Angeles Lakers turned improved protection right into a much-needed 110-93 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night time.

LeBron James scored 24 factors because the Lakers received for simply the second time of their previous seven video games, and are 6-9 since Dec. 20, after a 19-7 begin to the season. Doncic and Ayton returned after sitting out Saturday's loss at Portland with accidents.

Los Angeles gave up a season low in factors after permitting a mean of 133.5 factors whereas shedding their previous two video games. Ayton was 10 of 10 from the ground after lacking one sport with a again damage.

Scottie Barnes scored 22 factors and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 20 for the Raptors, who dropped consecutive video games for the primary time since Dec. 20-21. Former Laker Brandon Ingram scored 19 for Toronto, which misplaced each video games to Los Angeles this season. The Raptors misplaced middle Collin Murray-Boyles to a sprained left thumb within the third quarter. Murray-Boyles completed with 11 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists.

Bulls 124, Nets 102

Coby White scored 24 factors and canned a season-best seven of Chicago's 20 3-pointers because it earned a break up of a weekend home-and-home collection with visiting Brooklyn.

5 different gamers made it into double figures for the Bulls, who linked on 52.1% of their area targets and dished out a whopping 41 assists. Ayo Dosunmu got here off the bench so as to add 19 factors, whereas Matas Buzelis and Nikola Vucevic every tallied 17 factors. Jalen Smith chipped in 12 factors, Kevin Huerter collected 11 and Tre Jones notched 10 factors and 10 assists in a reserve position. Vucevic (11 rebounds) and Smith (10) every added double-doubles.

Nolan Traore got here off the bench to attain 16 factors for the Nets, whereas fellow reserve Jalen Wilson added 14. Rookie Danny Wolf additionally bagged 14 factors, whereas Nic Claxton contributed 12 and Egor Demin and Tyrese Martin every managed 11 factors.

Hornets 110, Nuggets 87

Brandon Miller scored 23 factors and Charlotte went wire-to-wire, main by as many as 33 factors in beating host Denver.

Hornets rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner tied a profession excessive with 17 factors, whereas teammates Collin Sexton and Kon Knueppel completed with 14 factors every. Tidjane Salaun had a double-double with 13 factors and 11 rebounds, and LaMelo Ball contributed 10 for Charlotte, which snapped an eight-game shedding streak in opposition to the Nuggets.

Denver tied a season low for complete factors, having misplaced at dwelling to the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 9 by the identical ultimate rating. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 16 factors however got here out of the sport with 5:24 left within the third quarter. Julian Strawther scored 15 factors, Jalen Pickett contributed 12 and Peyton Watson 11.

Grizzlies 126, Magic 109

Ja Morant returned to the lineup after lacking the earlier six video games with a proper calf contusion and had 24 factors and a season-high-tying 13 assists to guide Memphis to victory over Orlando in London.

Morant, the topic of commerce discussions forward of the Feb. 5 NBA commerce deadline, made 7 of 13 pictures, together with 3 of 4 from lengthy vary. He was showing in simply his nineteenth sport of the season. Jock Landale got here off the bench to contribute 21 factors and eight rebounds for the Grizzlies, whereas Jaren Jackson Jr. completed with 17 factors and 5 boards. Rookie Cedric Coward scored 13 factors.

The Magic, who beat Memphis on Thursday in Berlin, have been led by Anthony Black with 19 factors and 6 assists. Wendell Carter Jr. had 18 factors and 7 boards and Paolo Banchero completed with 16 factors, 9 assists and eight rebounds. Franz Wagner had 14 factors.

Rockets 119, Pelicans 110

Jabari Smith Jr. scored a season-high 32 factors, Kevin Durant moved into sixth place on the profession scoring listing and Amen Thompson supplied help with an all-around show as Houston claimed a victory over visiting New Orleans.

Thompson posted 20 factors on 10-of-14 taking pictures, eight rebounds and 6 assists. Durant added 18 factors and eight assists, and his two free throws with 15 seconds to play pushed Durant previous Dirk Nowitzki on the profession scoring listing. Alperen Sengun chipped in 21 factors and, like Smith and Thompson, secured eight rebounds.

Trey Murphy III paced the Pelicans with 21 factors whereas Zion Williamson posted 20 factors. Rookie Derik Queen chipped in 15 factors and 5 assists for the Pelicans, who've misplaced 13 of 15.

Path Blazers 117, Kings 100

Deni Avdija returned from a three-game absence on account of a again damage to attain a game-high 30 factors, Toumani Camara shoehorned 9 of his 17 factors right into a key second-quarter run and Portland held host Sacramento at arm's size by way of the second half for a victory.

Shaedon Sharpe chipped in with 27 factors and Donovan Clingan snatched a game-high 17 rebounds as a part of a double-double with 21 factors for the Path Blazers, who used a 3rd straight win to succeed in .500 for the primary time since mid-November. Portland has received 10 of its final 13 video games.

Reserve Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook had 23 factors apiece and Zach LaVine added 18 for the Kings, who noticed a four-game profitable streak come to an finish with a 3rd consecutive loss to the Path Blazers this season.