Coach Chauncey Billups, who is eager to see his team improve defensively in the new year, began the Portland Trail Blazers’ five-game trip Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Although the Blazers showed encouraging beginnings in that area, they lost 114-106 at Crypto.com Arena because they lacked the necessary offensive output.
The Blazers had the poorest defensive rating in the NBA that month (124.4), which contributed to their 3-9 December record.
When the Lakers were playing without center Anthony Davis, they appeared to play stronger defense. However, LeBron James and the Lakers, who controlled 26-12 in fast-break points after 18 errors that resulted in 24 points, were too formidable to overcome.
Despite falling behind by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Blazers deserve praise for staying in the game. When Anfernee Simons made a three-pointer with 2:30 left, the Blazers rallied from a small lineup to cut the deficit to only 103-100.
Billups told reporters, “I loved everything about how we fought back down the stretch.”
Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpeeach both scored 19 points, while Simons led the Blazers with 23.
However, with the game on the line, James, who had 38 points more than anyone else, was unstoppable.
With 58 seconds remaining, he made a three-pointer to put the Lakers ahead 110-102. At 112-106, his reverse layup with 17 seconds remaining essentially ended the game.
During the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, January 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray, left, and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center, shoot while center Donovan Clingan defends. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo) APAP
The Lakers only had 12 turnovers, but Portland shot 50% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc, while the Lakers shot 45.7% and 34.9%.
With 7:59 left in the second quarter, the Blazers had a seven-point lead after winning the first quarter 31–27. However, the Lakers led 60-51 at the half after outscoring the Blazers 24-8 the remainder of the game.
Simons informed reporters that he was pleased with the way we fought. At that point, we could have simply laid down. When we were able to resume the game, we kept going and supporting one another.
The team’s attacking performance was greatly enhanced by the lineup of Simons, Sharpe, Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Scoot Henderson. In the last quarter, they scored 29 points between them on 11 of 18 shots.
IMPORTANCE OF IT
This season, the Blazers (11-22) are already 3-14 away from home. In terms of away wins, they are only surpassed by New Orleans (5-29, 1-15 on the road).
It was only the Lakers’ second game without Davis this season (19-14). With Davis out, they suffered a 131-114 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 11.
BANTON DALANO RETURNS
After missing three games due to a hip injury, Dalano Banton made a comeback and played for just under five minutes. He pulled down one rebound and scored two points.
GRANT IS STILL OUT
Due to a facial injury, Jerami Grant missed a second game. When Dallas star Kyrie Irving unintentionally struck Grant in the face with his arm during Saturday’s victory, Grant did not get a concussion, according to Blazers coach Chauncey Billups on Wednesday. However, the Blazers forward missed the team’s loss to Philadelphia on Monday and was not well enough to practice on Wednesday.
On Thursday, January 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, left, shoots while LeBron James, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo) APAP
A SIMONS CLIMBS CHART
With 827 points, Simons moved into third place in Blazers history after making a three-pointer in the third quarter.
The 25-year-old Simons overtook Wesley Matthews, who made 826 while playing for the Blazers from 2010 to 2015.
Damian Lillard (2,387) is ranked first, followed by CJ McCollum (1,297).
Simons finished the evening with 830 career three-point field goals and a 4 of 9 three-point shooting percentage.
After starting the game with 4,996 points, Simons also crossed the 5,000-point threshold. There are 5,019 presently.
UPCOMING
At 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Blazers play Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks (17-15).
Latest Blazers news
-
Trail Blazers vs. Damian Lillard, Part 3: It s going to be fun
-
Trail Blazers star forward remains out
-
Trail Blazers’ Anfernee Simons climbs franchise 3-point leaderboard
-
Trail Blazers games now found on KUNP
-
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel
Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
