For the first time in 60 games, the Lakers blew a lead at the end of the third quarter when they lost at Portland on Monday night.
Of course, a lot of that had to do with Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, who scored 21 of his 31 points in the second half. Meanwhile, LeBron James may have given his performance of the early season, tallying 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
“We knew it wasn’t gonna be a blowout tonight, we had to win the game throughout 48 minutes,” James told reporters. “We got out to a really good start, but both teams settled in and it came down to execution.”
But as noted by Kyle Goon of the LA Daily News, Lakers c0-star Anthony Davis appeared a little tentative in attempting just 14 shots and scoring 13 points.
After a back-to-back, the Lakers get the day off Tuesday, before visiting San Antonio for a pair of games (Wednesday and Friday). The defending champs are 2-2 entering the rest of the week.
More out of Los Angeles
- Lakers coach Frank Vogel used Montrezl Harrell in place of center Marc Gasol alongside the other four starters for the final seven minutes of Monday’s loss. Harrell gives the Lakers a little more energy and productivity, and Vogel sounds as if it’s something that could become the norm. “I liked the lineup that we had out there,” he said. “We just weren’t able to get the job done.”
- That said, Harrell was exploited defensively, according to Sam Quinn of CBS Sports. “The Lakers have now seen firsthand what happens when they abandon their defensive identity late in a game,” Quinn opined. “It’s a mistake they no longer need to repeat. Harrell can play a valuable role on this team. He just can’t play the specific role he was asked to on Monday.”
- Reserve guard Alex Caruso missed the game as a result of the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocol. There have been no updates on when Caruso may be back.
— RELATED | Lakers team page on FortyEight Minutes
