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Thunder strikes Lakers as Raptors, Celtics win

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 05, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.



Photo credit: Kevin Cox | AFP

What you need to know:

  • In their first game since taking the top spot, the Lakers were routed 105-86 by Oklahoma City, never leading for the first time all season
  • Fred VanVleet scored a game-high 21 points and matched Kyle Lowry's game-high 10 assists to spark the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors over Orlando 109-99
  • Cameroonian star Joel Embiid had game highs of 30 points and 11 rebounds to lead Philadelphia over Washington 107-98 but the 76ers lost Australian star guard Ben Simmons to a left knee injury in the third quarter



MIAMI

Having clinched a Western Conference top seed in the NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers began experimenting for the post-season Wednesday and found they still have some work to do.