Portland Trail Blazers rout Los Angeles Lakers, 102-86
Final. 86. 20. 102. 34
In a game that wasn’t even as close as the final score indicated, the Portland Trail Blazers went up on the Los Angeles Lakers and never looked back as they led the entire game to secure the 102-86 victory.
Recap
From the opening tip, the Trail Blazers looked like the better team. There is no encompassing way to describe what it looks like when a team is outclassed in almost every measurable metric, but that is how it felt and looked early. Even as the game stayed within single-digits in the first quarter, every 4-point Trail Blazers run threatened to break into a 10-point burst. The Lakers did just enough to keep it from becoming a blowout in the first as Portland led 32-24.
That envisioned double-digit nightmare slapped the Lakers in the face in the form of a Meyers Leonard three to open the second quarter but, again, the Lakers were able to patch together enough offense to stay within shouting distance. The Trail Blazers led 54-46 at the half.
After a Robert Sacre jumper in the first minute of the third, the Lakers were unable to get another bucket until halfway through the quarter, while Wesley Matthews scored 10 in about the same time. With help from his teammates, the Trail Blazers found themselves up 20. It happened so fast that the lead almost seemed vulnerable, but the Trail Blazers kept their focus and took a handsome 23-point lead into the fourth quarter.
With guest appearances by Victor Claver, Will Barton, and Allen Crabbe, Portland’s second and third units came out a little shaky. C.J. McCollum realized his looks are cleaner when he plays with the starters, but Portland did more than enough to bounce into the All-Star break with a 102-86 win.
The Blazers go into the break with a record of 36-17, good for fourth in the West and matching their record at the All-Star break last season.
Players
First mention should go to Meyers Leonard, who has found consistent excellence (or at least, above averages-ness) in the last few weeks. Going into the All-Star break, Leonard has to feel that his chances to secure a steady spot in Stotts’ rotation, even when Joel Freeland returns, are pretty good. He had 11 and 7 tonight on 3-5 shooting from deep.
Wesley Matthews had an excellent game, and his third-quarter spark is what broke the game open. He was 7-14 tonight for 20 points, five boards, three dimes, two steals, and a lot of good hustle, dive-on-the-ground plays.
Damian Lillard (15 with eight assists) and LaMarcus Aldridge (18 and 12 with a block) both had muted games, but the Trail Blazers were so much better than the Lakers that it didn’t matter.
C.J. McCollum, like Leonard, has been playing much better as of late, though not quite for as long as Leonard. Tonight he had 10 points in 10 minutes before playing with the third string took some of his shine, and he finished with 11-4-2.
Robin Lopez had 10 and nine with three blocks. Classic RoLo.
Notes
- The Trail Blazers look really good when they run. Usually they get these opportunities from the occasional steal, but they might want to try pushing the break off rebounds a little more. It suits (most of) them.
- Leonard has developed into a dependable, solid player. Even after non-standout games, you’re starting to know that he’ll take the shots he can hit and that his defense will be reasonable.
- Aldridge, Lillard, and Matthews will all be participating in NBA All-Star weekend: LMA and Dame in the All-Star game, and Wes in the three-point competition.
The Trail Blazers won’t play another game until nine days from now in Utah against the Jazz on Friday, February 20th.