Trail Blazers top Lakers 136-129, run to 3-0 start
Portland's balanced scoring and late-game baskets pushed the Lakers to their first loss of the season, 136-129, at Los Angeles on Tuesday.
By Rebecca Caldwell ·
Ja Morant and Deni Avdija each scored 23 points and Damian Lillard added 21, including a three-pointer with 43 seconds left, to send the Portland Trail Blazers past the Los Angeles Lakers 136-129 on Tuesday. The Trail Blazers remain unbeaten under new coach Micah Nori and closed the game on a 15-8 run.
Luka Doncic led all scorers with 41 points and handed out nine assists in the Lakers' first loss of the season. He also made six three-pointers against Portland, following his 52-point outing in Utah last weekend, the tenth time he has topped 50 in under two years with the Lakers. Austin Reaves scored 26 for Los Angeles and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 17.
Jrue Holiday scored 22 for Portland, which opened 3-0 for the second time in 15 years. Lillard and Avdija hit consecutive threes down the stretch before Doncic and Ziaire Williams answered to keep the score close. Morant converted mid-range pull-up jumpers on consecutive possessions to put Portland up five, and Lillard sealed it with his fourth three. Lillard, 36, missed four free throws. Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams and the Lakers could not close the gap.
Doncic returned from the bench to help Los Angeles cut an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit. Portland's attack stayed balanced and its late baskets proved decisive. The Lakers next face Portland's unbeaten run as the season's early schedule continues.
Source: Pioneer Press
