Randle finished with 16 points, four assists and six rebounds on 8-13 shooting, Russell finished with 16 points, five assists and four rebounds on 6-11 shooting and Clarkson finished with 19 points, four assists and three rebounds on 8-15 shooting.
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“I think some of the guys get a little too nervous about getting deep, and they give (Lillard) too much space”, head coach Byron Scott said. For the visiting Lakers, Kobe Bryant led the way with 21 points on 7-20 shooting, but the night featured an optimistic oulook on the young trio of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson.
IN opens a four-game road trip with two at Staples Center, the second Wednesday night against the Clippers, before playing at Portland Thursday and Utah Saturday.
“I told him I just appreciated what he’s done for the game”, McCollum said. He is growing at an extremely rapid pace.
After McCollum went to get his customary rest near the end of the first quarter with under 3 minutes left, he had as many points (14) as the Lakers team had as a whole.
The Blazers got the win despite off nights from their third and fourth-leading scorers, Al-Farouq Aminu and Mason Plumlee who were a combined 4-for-11. (The Lakers) played well.
“It’s tough”, Bryant said.
Leonard hit a three-pointer to put the Blazers up 49-34, but the Lakers closed the gap with a 7-0 run. The legs aren’t what they used to be.
McCollum was crucial to the Trail Blazers’ monster first quarter.
The Lakers managed to make things interesting in the third quarter, cutting Portland’s lead that was as high as 17 down to five. Portland made 13 of 18 field-goal attempts in the period.
The Blazers welcomed back Meyers Leonard, who missed seven games with a dislocated left shoulder. The Lakers would claw to within six points before falling back down by 12 points only two minutes later.
The reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams hasn’t particularly been the offensive force that the Lakers had hoped he’d be this season, but he’s still a valuable part of the rotation in Los Angeles. The Blazers have won seven in a row over the Lakers….
Nov 28, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard guard Kobe Bryant (24) dribbles to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter.
Notes: Scott said Bryant’s involvement in Sunday’s home game against in would be determined via conversations that take place between the player and the coach on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
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Shortly after the game ended one admirer made sure to get a word in with Bryant.
