LeBron James and Max Christie lead the Lakers to victory over the Blazers
In the absence of Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Max Christie rose to the occasion, leading the Lakers to a 114-106 victory over the Blazers on Thursday.
LeBron James made a significant impact, scoring 18 points in the first half and finishing the game with a total of 38 points on 15-of-25 shooting, including seven successful three-pointers. Max Christie delivered an outstanding performance, hitting five three-pointers and concluding the game with 28 points.
Austin Reaves contributed with 15 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals. Christian Koloko also had a notable performance, scoring eight points and securing eight rebounds.
LeBron facilitated early scoring opportunities, assisting on two dunks—one by Jaxson Hayes and another by Rui. Both teams initially struggled with their long-range shooting until Portland's Shaedon Sharpe made the first three-pointer of the game. The Blazers gained momentum as the Lakers faced difficulties.
Jaxson Hayes encountered early foul trouble, which necessitated his substitution. With Anthony Davis sidelined, Portland capitalized on the Lakers' defensive lapses in the paint, accumulating a significant portion of their points from that area. Christian's contributions were crucial for the Lakers, as he scored six points and made vital rebounds.
After the Trail Blazers established an eight-point lead, the Lakers managed to narrow the gap to four points by the end of the first quarter.
Portland's rookie, Donovan Clingan, initiated the scoring in the second quarter with a reverse layup. The Lakers struggled with their performance, lacking offensive consistency. Meanwhile, the young Trail Blazers played with assurance, capitalizing on Los Angeles' difficulties. The Lakers appeared to be a team in dire need of a strong defensive presence.
Austin managed to convert a midrange shot, and Max contributed with two three-pointers, helping to halt the Lakers' scoring woes. After a period of minimal scoring, Los Angeles ignited an 8-1 run. The purple and gold regained the lead as LeBron added two three-pointers to his tally, bringing his points to 18, while Max reached 14.
The Lakers seized the momentum from the Trail Blazers, concluding the half with a 10-2 run and establishing a nine-point advantage.
As the second half commenced, the Trail Blazers improved their offensive play. LeBron increased his score to 24 points, adding two more three-pointers to his impressive performance. The game became a showcase for LeBron and Max, with Max sinking yet another three-pointer.
LeBron continued his scoring spree, hitting another three-pointer to bring his total to six for the night. The Lakers extended their lead to double digits, but the determined Blazers fought back, narrowing the gap to single digits.
After a somewhat sluggish offensive start in the first half, Austin reached 13 points with another three-pointer. Shake Milton contributed four points during the quarter. Despite Portland's commendable efforts, Los Angeles regained a double-digit lead by the end of the third quarter.
