For a half, at least, it looked like the Lakers were going to run away with Friday's game in Toronto. After a 43-19 first quarter, the Lakers entered the half with a 25 point lead, and given how shorthanded the Raptors currently are, an easy win seemed inevitable.

Clearly that's what the Lakers thought. Toronto came out hard in the third quarter and brought themselves back, making it a much more competitive game than it should have been. Still, the Lakers got the win. That's the good part, but after Anthony Davis made it clear the Lakers need to be much, much better if they expect to be among the best teams in the West. On the defensive side, particularly, which is where they were particularly lax as the game went on. (A sloppy start offensively to the second half didn't help, either.)

On an individual level, there were many positives. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both great. Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell had nice games. Max Christie, in short minutes, had probably his best game of the year (low bar acknowledged). But broadly the game was a wasted opportunity to sit the stars down early and get some rest for the final two games of the trip.

One interesting wrinkle - JJ Redick went back to a rotation more like last season's, pairing Russell and Davis together more with bench players, and putting James and Reaves together. It's a shift from the first five games, and something likely to continue going forward.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Generally speaking, the sixth game of the season isn't a "must win," under any circumstances.

This sixth game, however? Could be the exception to the rule. The Lakers are in Toronto tonight, playing a shorthanded, likely lottery-bound Raptors squad missing its best player (Scottie Barnes), probably it's third best player (Emmanuel Quickley) and a valuable role player (Kelly Olynyk).

So yeah, if you're a Lakers squad that is coming off its worst performance of a young season, looking to legitimize the first three games of the season after two straight losses? Gotta win this one.

All hands will be on deck. Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves aren't on the injury report, and D'Angelo Russell is listed as probable.

In other news, the Lakers reportedly won't pick up the third year option on last season's #1 draft pick, Jalen Hood-Schifino. This is, unquestionably, an unusual move. Teams will sometimes choose not to pick up fourth-year options, but a third year? It doesn't happen often. So why are the Lakers going in this direction? First and foremost, it seems to be about roster flexibility. Perhaps over the summer, where not having $4 mil or so guaranteed for JHS makes it significantly easier for the Lakers to shed enough salary to use their full mid-level exception. Likely, the Lakers are thinking about this season, and the ability to move JHS as part of a trade. Clearly they're calculating that dangling him on an expiring contract will have more value than the opportunity for a team to take a chance on his talent.

That, to say the least, is not a ringing endorsement of JHS's development, but is it also a commentary on the state of the roster more broadly? If the Lakers thought they had appealing pieces to package, would they do this? If Gabe Vincent had appeal? Or Max Christie? Certainly they're familiar with the (lack of) market for D'Angelo Russell. Jarred Vanderbilt hasn't played in a while. And so on.

And what does this mean about the team's recent track record in drafting? Or the grand plans around player development?

It's an interesting move for the Lakers to say the least, but one that raises some red flags.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers need to win tonight in Toronto.

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers won't pick up the option on Jalen Hood-Schifino.

SEGMENT 3: What does this say about future moves?

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)