On Friday night, LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-95 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, who were the hosts. James finished with 35 points and nine assists.
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D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers with 14 points and six assists, while Anthony Davis contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds. Los Angeles triumphed for the fourth time in five games behind the combined ten points scored by Taurean Prince and Christian Wood.
For the Trail Blazers, who have now dropped six straight games, Jerami Grant scored 24 points. In addition to Shaedon Sharpe’s 17 points and 9 rebounds, Deandre Ayton finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. However, Sharpe also had a career-high 10 turnovers.
For Portland, Toumani Camara scored 10 points and contributed eight assists, while Skylar Mays scored 15 points.
With the win, the Lakers’ record in West Group A play of the in-season competition improved to 3-0. Assuming the Jazz and Phoenix Suns game is completed, Los Angeles leads Utah by a half-game.
In Group A play, the Trail Blazers are winless.
Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) missed the Trail Blazers’ fourth straight game.
Los Angeles made 12 of 30 3-pointers while shooting 49.4% overall from the floor. Russell made four of seven from beyond the arc, while James made five of nine.
The Trail Blazers completed 10 of 37 long-range tries, or 40.4 percent of their total attempts.
Los Angeles led 89-75 after scoring seven points in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter.
With 6:56 remaining, the Lakers’ lead was 99-83 after Rui Hachimura made a 3-pointer and Cam Reddish scored a basket.
With 5:51 left in the game, James’ layup increased the lead to a game-high 17 points.
With 2:36 remaining, Portland pulled within 105-95 thanks to 11 of the next 15 points. Davis then made a long 21-foot shot with 1:42 remaining, and both teams were able to clear the benches 31 seconds later.
With 16 first-points from James, the Lakers led 60–50 at the half. Portland, which was behind by 16 points at the half, rallied for six points in the last minutes of play led by Ayton.
With 7:46 remaining in the third quarter, a 3-pointer by Mays got the Trail Blazers within 68-67. However, James scored twice in a subsequent 8-2 run, and the Lakers went ahead 82-75 going into the last frame.
