LOS ANGELES -- It wouldn't be a stretch to describe D'Angelo Russell's return to the lineup in the Lakers' 122-112 win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday as perfect.
Russell, who missed L.A.'s previous six games with a sprained right ankle, scored 16 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter -- on 5-for-5 shooting -- to seal the victory, helping keep the Lakers' momentum strong. The Lakers are now 6-2 since the All-Star break and No. 9 in the Western Conference standings with 15 games remaining. They are only 1½ games behind the LA Clippers in fifth.