The Los Angeles Lakers recorded a rare 2-straight victories at the expense of the Toronto Raptors, 112-106. Lakers, who are still without Kobe Bryant, Jordan Farmar, Steve Blake, and Steve Nash, leaned on the offensive prowess of Nick Young who scored 29 points and Pau Gasol who had 22.

The struggling Hollywood team also got a lift from newcomers Ryan Kelly who had 17 and Kendal Marshall who posted 10 points and 11 assists.

Young said that they great performance over the last two games was triggered by the altercation he got involved with during game against the Phoenix Suns last week.

"We had an altercation that woke us all up and we're out there battling with each other now," Young said. "Now we're just laying it out there."

For Kelly, who made his first career start yesterday, said that they no longer lack a sense of urgency against Eastern Conference's no. 4 team.

"That was carrying over into the game, a lack of urgency to get back on defense, a lack of urgency to rebound and things like that," Kelly said.

"When we saw that on tape, that's the one thing it did for us is to make us realize that on every play, every possession, we have to have that sense of urgency."

Gasol, who is now acting as the team's on court leader, was happy that they posted a rare back to back win this season and commended the young guns for playing hard.

"It's really gratifying to win back-to-back games on the road, especially with the way we've been struggling," Gasol said.

"I'm just really proud of the guys. They're stepping up, they're bringing the effort, bringing the intensity, bringing the focus and not wanting to give up."

With the victory, Lakers now improved to 16-25. However, they are still four places farther from a playoff spot. They'll be away from home in their next four games to play against the Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat, the Orlando Magic, and the New York Knicks. They will be back in Hollywood on January 28 to face league leaders Indiana Pacers.