TORONTO, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Gary Payton stripped Vince Carter in the lane in the final seconds as the LA Lakers held on Sunday for an 84-83 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Shaquille O'Neal scored a season-high 36 points for Los Angeles, which nearly squandered a 54-38 halftime lead. Carter's three-pointer pulled the Raptors to 84-83 with 48 seconds remaining.
With the time winding down, Carter drove into the lane between Payton and Rick Fox. He appeared to be held by Payton but no call was made. O'Neal grabbed the rebound and fed a long pass to Payton, who ran out the clock rather than make a layup.
Carter scored 27 points for the Raptors, who dropped to 1-7 all-time against the Lakers at home.
Los Angeles played its second straight game without Kobe Bryant, who is on the injured list after he sustained a cut on his right index finger.
