Turkoglu's 2 free throws lift Raptors over Lakers

[January 25, 2010]  TORONTO (AP) -- Hedo Turkoglu made two free throws with 1.2 seconds left as the Toronto Raptors beat the Los Angeles Lakers 106-105 on Sunday night

Andrea Bargnani scored 22 points, Chris Bosh and Jarrett Jack each had 18 and Marco Belinelli added 15 for the Raptors, who are 6-0 at home this season against Western Conference opponents.

Kobe Bryant missed a last-second jump shot and fell one assist shy of his first triple-double of the season, scoring 27 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Bryant, who shot 11 for 24, has 16 career triple-doubles.

Bryant took an inbound pass from Luke Walton but his fadeaway jumper rimmed out as the Lakers lost for the second time in three games.

Pau Gasol scored 22 points, Andrew Bynum had 21 and Jordan Farmar 17 for the Lakers.

Bosh also had 13 rebounds for Toronto, which has won four of six.

The Lakers didn't trail through the first three quarters but gave up the lead in the fourth on a Bargnani 3-pointer with 7:33 left, putting Toronto up 93-90. Farmar answered with a 3 of his own, but a Belinelli 3 from the corner at 6:26 restored Toronto's lead, making it 98-95.

The Raptors weren't in front for long, with baskets from Gasol and Bryant putting the Lakers back on top, 99-98, with 4:57 left. Bargnani made two free throws to give the Raptors a 100-99 edge with 4:34 left, but Bynum and Farmar countered for Los Angeles, making it 103-100 with 2:24 to go.

Toronto wasn't done, with Bargnani making the free throw after he was fouled on a reverse layup to make it 105-104 with 1:16 remaining. Bryant and Bargnani both missed jumpers before Belinelli knocked a loose ball out of play with 15 seconds remaining and 3 seconds on the shot clock. Bryant's quick jumper bounced off the rim and Bosh grabbed the rebound, giving Toronto one final chance with 11 seconds to play.

The Raptors gave the ball to Turkoglu, who was fouled by Gasol with 1.2 seconds left. Turkoglu, who went 6 for 6 from the line, made both free throws, setting up the dramatic finish.

Bargnani, who returned to Toronto's starting lineup after sitting out Friday's win over Milwaukee with a sore lower back, brought the crowd to its feet with a reverse dunk in the first.

Gasol scored 10 points in the opening quarter as Los Angeles led 24-21 after one. Bynum scored 11 points in the second but the Raptors hung tough and only a Bryant jumper with two seconds left in the half separated the teams at the intermission, with the Lakers up 56-54.

Los Angeles opened the third with a 7-0 run, forcing Toronto to call time out. The Raptors held firm again, getting six points from Jack and five each from Belinelli and Turkoglu to cut the deficit to 84-82 heading into the fourth.

Toronto's Jose Calderon had to leave the game after he was cut over the right eye when Derek Fisher swiped for the ball in the third. Calderon returned in the fourth after getting two stitches.

NOTES: Bosh tipped a Gasol miss into his own basket in the first. ... The Lakers, who play the Wizards in Washington on Tuesday, are scheduled to visit the White House on Monday afternoon. ... Bynum started for the Lakers despite missing the team flight from New York City on Saturday morning. "His bags made it to Toronto but he didn't," coach Phil Jackson said. Bynum was punished with a fine and had to pay his own fare to Toronto.

[Associated Press]

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