by Jordan Fickling, sports editor

Shooting guard Kobe Bryant, recorded his 20th career “triple double” and led the Los Angeles Lakers to defeat the red hot Toronto Raptors.

A “triple-double” is when a player scores in double digits for three statistical categories. It can be either, points, rebounds, blocks, assists, or steals.

Toronto entered the game with a major loss. Their Shooting Guard DeMar DeRozan suffered a debilitating groin injury against Power Forward Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks on Friday, November 28th.

Bryant and the Lakers entered the game with a four game losing streak. Kobe looked to change things as he scored 31 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.

“Kobe was amazing tonight, man — dropping dimes to everybody, rebounding, shooting it and being a great playmaker. When he plays like that, we all get involved. He’s amazing every night, but tonight was something special,” Power Forward Carlos Boozer said.

Boozer contributed to the 129-122 victory with 18 points. Center Jordan Hill had a “double-double” with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

A “double-double” is the same as the triple double instead of scoring in three categories, the player scores double digits in two categories.

One player that is thriving with the augmentation of player minutes due to the injury of DeRozan is Point Guard Greivis Vasquez. It was Vasquez’s first start of the season as a Shooting Guard and he scored 19 points. Point Guard Kyle Lowry also scored a team-high 29 points, nine assists and six rebounds.

“The players on the Raptors  needed to step up entering last night’s game because DeRozan was a valuable asset to the team in a variety of ways. He was a great all around scorer and passer. I am really glad that Vasquez and Valanciunas took a more engaging role in the game despite the fact that they lost in overtime,” senior Emmanuel Damanakis said.

Toronto’s next game will be against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday December 2nd. Kobe and the Lakers will play the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday as well.