Lakers rally in second-half win over Blazers
The Los Angeles Lakers improved to 5-5 after a strong second-half win without LeBron James in the lineup, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 116–110 on Sunday.
“As we continue to plant the seeds, water them, you’ll see the growth really soon,” head coach Darvin Ham said regarding the team’s identity. “You’re already seeing flashes of it.”
LeBron was sidelined due to a left calf contusion sustained in Friday’s win over the Suns when he collided his leg with Kevin Durant’s shin.
Rui Hachimura started in place of LeBron and had an efficient night, scoring 19 points on 60% (6-for-10) shooting from the field. He also contributed five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 32 minutes.
Slow first-quarter starts have been an early-season struggle for the Lakers. However, for the first time in 10 games this season, the Lakers outscored their opponent at the end of the first quarter.
After a 56-57 deficit at halftime, the Lakers came out of the half with a surge of energy, outscoring the Blazers 35-23 in the third quarter.
Despite a low 21.1% (4-of-19) shooting from behind the arc, the Lakers capitalized on a high volume of attempts from the foul line. The Lakers made 31 of their 37 free-throw attempts, while the Blazers only had nine shots from the free-throw line.
Cam Reddish continued his confident momentum with another solid performance in the Lakers starting lineup. In 37 minutes, Reddish finished with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, notching seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.
“I feel like all my teammates have done a great job of just pouring into me and telling me how much they believe in me. I haven’t had an atmosphere like this in my entire NBA career,” Reddish said.
With 11 points at the half, Anthony Davis didn't make the expected impact with LeBron out of the rotation before turning it around in the second half with a 19-point surge.
Davis finished with a game-high 30 points on 50% (10-for-20) shooting, adding 13 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks.
“Any time you got Anthony Davis, you have a chance,” Austin Reaves said about Davis’ impact. “He changes the game.”
Reaves continued his impact off the Lakers’ bench, scoring 18 points with four rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes.
On an inconsistent night from the field, going 5-for-14 (35.7%), D’Angelo Russell made his impact as a facilitator for the offense, dishing out 11 assists in the win, along with 11 points and five rebounds.
Taurean Prince made the biggest hustle play of the night after sprinting for the loose ball after Blazers center Deandre Ayton gave up on it. Prince’s play gave the Lakers a five-point lead with two minutes left and a huge momentum push to finish strong.
Prince finished with 11 points, three rebounds, one assist and a steal in 33 minutes.
The Lakers are scheduled to face the Memphis Grizzlies this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. for their second in-season tournament game.
