It was nearly impossible for the Portland Trail Blazers to perform better against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday than they did in their 42-point defeat to the Utah Jazz on Friday night.
The Blazers did, too. However, it was not quite good enough to prevent a 107-98 loss against a Lakers club sans LeBron James due to foot discomfort.
The Blazers’ night was definitely an emotional roller coaster. They won by a combined score of 57-40 in the first and third quarters, which were the high points. The second and fourth quarters, when they lost 67-41, were the deepest lows.
Chauncey Billups, the coach of the Blazers, told reporters, “I thought we got off to a good start and then we kind of fell off a little bit.”
Center Deandre Ayton was the only Blazer to stand out, scoring 14 points and pulling down a season-high 19 rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Jerami Grant scored three points on one out of twelve shots from the field. Anfernee Simons scored 14 points and made 1 of 6 three-pointers. Although Shaedon Sharpe finished with 19 points, six of those points came in the fourth quarter when the Blazers were well down.
After the first quarter, the Blazers had a 28–22 lead. The Lakers went on a 15-0 run to take a 42-35 lead in the second quarter. Los Angeles kept up the attack, leading 59-45 at the half.
Regarding the second quarter, Billups stated, “We had a tough quarter.” Unable to get a halt and make a shot. They started the game. For us, that quarter was really disappointing.
Up to that time, the Lakers’ primary statistical edge was at the free-throw line, where they made 13 of 14 attempts while the Blazers made 3 of 4.
In the third quarter, the Blazers clamped down defensively to restart their offensive attack. During the quarter, the Lakers shot 35% and made 1 of 9 three-pointers.
The Lakers led 77-74 going into the fourth quarter after Blazers player Scoot Henderson made a shot just outside halfcourt at the buzzer to end the period.
Billups stated, “I thought we did a good job and came up with the right intensity in the third quarter.”
During the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, December 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, guard D’Angelo Russell, right, dribbles past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, left. (Photo by Étienne Laurent/AP) APAP
The Blazers committed seven turnovers in the fourth quarter after limiting their first half to just five. At the end of the game, Portland committed 18 turnovers, which gave the Lakers 26 points. Los Angeles committed 11 turnovers, which allowed the Blazers to score 14 points.
Portland’s chances were further harmed by their inability to shoot three-pointers. The Lakers made 38.2% three-pointers, while the Blazers made 9 of 36 (35%).
Together, Grant, Simons, and Sharpe only make four out of nineteen three-point attempts.
According to Billups, it is difficult to compete when traveling.
The center With 30 points and 11 rebounds, Anthony Davis led the Lakers. Guard D Angelo Russell scored 28 points and dished out 14 assists after coming off the bench.
We had no control over “D-Lo,” said Billups.
IMPORTANCE OF IT
After momentarily overachieving, the Blazers (8-16) are in free fall. After winning three straight games, they have now lost eight of ten.
A three-game losing run was broken by the Lakers (13-11).
HENDERSON AND CAMARA RETURN
Toumani Camara started after leaving Friday night’s game against the Utah Jazz due to a foot injury in the first quarter, while Henderson made his comeback after missing four games.
In 21 minutes, Henderson committed three turnovers despite scoring 13 points off the bench.
In thirty minutes, Camara scored eight points and pulled down five rebounds.
UPCOMING
At 7 p.m. on Friday, the Blazers take on the San Antonio Spurs (12-12).
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