The Los Angeles Lakers‘ three-game losing streak has come to an end with a strong 107-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Crypto.com Arena in LA. The Lakers looked competent on both sides of the ball despite missing key players like LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers were led by a three-headed monster on the night. Anthony Davis scored 30 points (10-21 FG), with 11 rebounds and five blocks while Rui Hachimura put up 23 points (9-13 FG) and four steals. D’Angelo Russell had his best performance of the season with 28 points (9-17 FG) and 14 assists in an impressive showing. No other Lakers even scored in double-digits, as the trio dominated the Blazers.
The Blazers were led by Deandre Ayton’s 14 points (7-14 FG) and 19 rebounds. Shaedon Sharpe showed up with a 19-point (7-15 FG) performance while Anfernee Simons had 14 points (5-13 FG). Scoot Henderson (3-6 FG) and Deni Avdija had 13 points (4-7 FG) off the bench respectively in an underwhelming loss for the rebuilding franchise.
Let’s take a deeper look at what happened in this much-needed win for the Lakers.
A Strong Defensive Showing
The Blazers went on a late-game 11-point flurry during garbage time, which is why the final score difference is in single digits, but the Lakers had comfortably put the game away in the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead.Â
It was one of their best defensive showings in recent games, with the Lakers restricting Portland to 35-84 from the field (41.7 FG%) and 9-36 from three (25.0 3P%). Portland also turned the ball over 17 times due to the aggressive Lakers defense, who had 14 steals as a team on the night. The Lakers also had seven blocks, with Anthony Davis contributing five on his own.
The Lakers have had major problems on both ends of the court over recent losses, with their defensive showing in their 41-point loss to the Heat particularly egregious. Tonight, they relied on Davis to be a defensive fulcrum while players like Cam Reddish (6 PTS) and Max Christie (4 PTS) were positive defenders who profoundly impacted the game.
Even though the Lakers were convincingly outrebounded 40 to 49, they did all the right things in forcing turnovers and getting more scoring opportunities, which they maximized against a weak opponent like the Blazers. It was important to get this win while short-handed, and the Lakers didn’t disappoint, with this game potentially leading to a season-altering defensive turnaround.
Offensive Woes Persist But 3 Dominant Players Carried The Lakers
The Lakers weren’t lights out offensively, putting up just 107 points against one of the worst defenses in the NBA. That was essentially down to personnel, as the two players who lead the Lakers in on-ball usage – LeBron James and Austin Reaves – were both not available for this game. Anthony Davis dominated like most people expected him to, with his defensive performance (5 BLK) being exceptional on the night, but Hachimura and Russell made the most of this opportunity.
D’Angelo Russell (28 PTS, 14 AST) was the Lakers’ best shooter last season and an 18-point scorer who has looked poor to start the season. He had his best game of the season tonight, showing he’s extremely comfortable offensively in JJ Redick’s system, where he also excelled as a playmaker tonight. No James or Reaves brought that responsibility onto Russell who dimed out 14 assists to ensure everyone was involved in the win, especially Davis.
Hachimura (23 PTS, 4 STL) has also been inconsistent to start the season but has earned a solidified starting spot which he didn’t have last year. Tonight, he stepped up offensively and was one of the Lakers’ best defenders. He was matching up with smaller guards and holding his own on the perimeter, forcing multiple balls loose through intelligent POA coverage and aggressive defense.
Davis, Russell, and Hachimura with their performances alone were enough to carry the Lakers to this win, as the trio combined for 81 points and some exceptional defensive moments.Â
Perfect Game To Give LeBron Rest
Earlier this week, LeBron’s goal of playing 82 games this season came into question after Lakers head coach JJ Redick made it clear that the team would like for James to rest when needed to ensure he’s performing at a high level. That rest came tonight as James missed his first game of the season and the Lakers pulled out this win.Â
The Lakers have a tricky schedule coming up after this win over the rebuilding Blazers, as they face teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and Golden State Warriors in the coming weeks. James needs to be fresh for this stretch of games, so rolling the dice without him on the court against a team like Portland was perfect.Â
This game has definitely given a lot more confidence to the Lakers rotation who played their roles to perfection tonight, especially the wing defenders. JJ Redick will be pleased with how the team has responded to their worst stretch of the season, with key pieces like Hachimura and Russell benefitting from increased confidence going forward.
James should return to the court for the Lakers game against the Timberwolves on Friday after a five-day break in the schedule for the franchise.
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