Damian Lillard scored 41 factors, and the Portland Trail Blazers held off the Lakers for a 106-104 win at Crypto.com Arena.
The loss was the third straight for the Lakers, whereas Portland is now 3-0 and sitting on high of the Western Conference.
The groups traded baskets within the closing minute with Lillard hitting a three-pointer, with 12.4 left within the sport to put the Trail Blazers up by two factors.
LeBron James got here proper again and tied the sport on a drive to the basket, solely to be upstaged by Jerami Grant, who related on a layup for Portland to put the Blazers up by two and seal the victory.
“He [Jeremy Grant] came up big for us, but that’s what our season is gonna be about all year. It’s gonna be about trust, and it’s going to be about staying together and continuing to fight,” said Lillard after the sport.
Grant had 16 factors, and Anfernee Simmons had 12 factors as the one Trail Blazers apart from Lillard scoring in double figures.
But Josh Hart (16), and Jusuf Nurkic (13) got here up massive on the boards for Portland, which outrebounded the Lakers by 12.
Lillard shot 60 % from the sector and 46.2 % from behind the arc after the Blazers jumped out to an eight-point lead after the primary quarter.
“They’ve been a great team since LeBron arrived and just knowing what time of game it’s going to be, I just now I’ve gotta get my rest and put my best foot forward,” mentioned Lillard.
James had 31 factors, 8 rebounds, and eight assists and tied Karl Malone for many 20-point video games in NBA historical past.
But the King missed a last-second jumper to tie the sport.
James received confrontational when reporters questioned him in regards to the last minutes.
“I hate to lose, especially the way we had this game. But give credit to Portland,” said James. “You guys can write about Russ. All the things you guys want to talk about Russ. I’m not up here to do that.”
Westbrook had 10 factors on 26.7 % taking pictures.
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