Trail Blazers at Lakers
The Portland Trail Blazers ended a seven-game losing streak last time out and look to build off that when they visit the struggling Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Damian Lillard’s 27 points gave the Blazers a 102-91 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday and they aim to extend their winning streak to five against the Lakers.
Lillard and C.J. McCollum form one of the most potent backcourt duos in the league, but Portland has suffered without the presence of departed free agent LaMarcus Aldridge inside. Mason Plumlee scored a season high 18 points Friday and the Blazers hope for more of the same from the 6-11 center against a transitioning Lakers squad, which has lost six of seven. Veteran Kobe Bryant still leads Los Angeles in scoring, but rookie guard D’Angelo Russell is poised to emerge after averaging 15 in the last two games. Forward Julius Randle is also making his presence known for the Lakers in his first season after missing 2014-15 with an injury.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, CSN Northwest (Portland), TWC SN (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (5-9): Lillard is averaging 25.2 points and has scored at least 20 in all but one outing this season while McCollum has contributed 20.1 points after registering 6.8 in 2014-15. Forward Al-Farouq Aminu is the only other player averaging in double figures (12.9) for the Blazers and Plumlee is close at 9.9. Fellow big man Ed Davis had 17 points and 15 rebounds Friday and became the first to post at least 15 and 15, respectively, off the bench for the team since Travis Outlaw in 2006.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (2-10): Randle notched his third double-double on Friday, totaling 18 points and 12 rebounds in the 102-91 loss to the Toronto Raptors and has been the main best scoring threat inside. Jordan Clarkson continues to shine while averaging 15.5 points and Louis Williams (12.3) is proving to be a solid scoring option but is shooting just 33.1 percent from the field – 23.5 from 3-point range. Bryant, who skipped Monday’s game against Phoenix to rest a sore back and knee, scored 10 on 5-of-13 shooting Friday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Portland F Noah Vonleh, a former first-round pick by Charlotte, made his third start Friday and scored four points in 18 minutes.
2. Los Angeles C Roy Hibbert is averaging 11 points over his last seven games and is among the top 10 in the league in blocks (2.25).
3. Portland PF Meyers Leonard, who is averaging 8.4 points, has missed five straight games with a dislocated left shoulder.