Trail Blazers at Lakers
The Portland Trail Blazers continue to dominate the Los Angeles Lakers and strive to record their 10th consecutive win in the series in Tuesday's contest in Los Angeles. Portland notched its franchise-record ninth straight victory over the Lakers 118-109 on Thursday behind 27 points from shooting guard C.J. McCollum.
McCollum has been playing superbly for the Trail Blazers by averaging 31.6 points over his past eight games but missed a last-second midrange jumper in Portland's 125-124 double-overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. "I get a pull-up with a big backing up on his heels and I miss it a little short, it's frustrating, but it's part of the game," McCollum said after reaching 35 points for the fourth time in five contests. "Nine out of 10 times I'd take that shot." The Lakers are on pace for 30 victories at the halfway point of their schedule, which would rate as an improvement after failing to reach that total in each of the past three seasons. Los Angeles has recorded consecutive wins for the first time since Nov. 10-12 after rolling to a 111-95 home victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, CSN Northwest (Portland), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (16-23): Point guard Damian Lillard scored 20 or more points in both games since returning from a left ankle injury and has been content to the let the red-hot McCollum carry the scoring load. Lillard played 43 minutes in the double-overtime contest against the Pistons, a stunning amount since he admits his conditioning isn't yet back on par. "I know there is going to come a game when I'm going to feel normal as far as my wind and my strength," Lillard, who missed five games, told reporters.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (15-26): Rookie forward Brandon Ingram scored a season-best 17 points in back-to-back games -- making 6-of-9 shots both times -- and scored in double digits in three straight games. Ingram is one of three youngsters the Lakers are building around -- fellow No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell (2015 draft) and No. 7 overall Julius Randle (2014) are the others -- and coach Luke Walton said there has been an elevation in the trio's work ethic. "We all knew they had the talent to be really good, but I think it's the fact that they really stepped up their professionalism as far as the way they're treating their bodies and approaching practice and every opportunity," Walton told reporters.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Trail Blazers won five straight road games against the Lakers, which is their longest such streak in the series.
2. Portland swingman Allen Crabbe scored a career-best 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting against Detroit.
3. Los Angeles SG Nick Young is 2-of-16 shooting over the past two games.