Lakers keep pesky Blazers at bay with 103-98 win
Keeping it short and sweet, the new-look Los Angeles Lakers (30-18) and the new-look Portland Trail Blazers (22-26) faced off for the last time of the season. Portland was looking to improve on their last performance at the Staples Center when they only managed to score seven points in the first quarter alone and were out of the game from then on. The Lakers, who have played excellent basketball on their home court improved their point guard position by trading for Ramon Sessions and getting rid of veteran Derek Fisher. Although the Lakers would take a commanding 30-19 lead after one quarter, LaMarcus Aldridge brought Portland back numerous times and made this a tight contest. As usual, the expert in controlling the game, mister Kobe Bryant and the vets managed to score on key possessions and take the season series from Portland, winning 103-98.
All you need to know is that LaMarcus Aldridge had quite a ball game, scoring 29 Pts, 9 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl on 12-18 shooting and playing roughly 40 minutes. The other Blazer starter in double figures was Wesley Matthews who’s stock is continuing to climb with each game, 16 Pts, 5 Reb and 4-8 from three. Raymond Felton dished 6 Ast with only 2 turnovers and the inconstancy of Nicolas Batum reared its ugly head, he only scored 9 Pts in 33 minutes of play.
J.J. Hickson gets an early mention has he came off the bench for 14 Pts with 6-9 shooting, as did Jamal Crawford for 10 Pts but it came with 3-14 shooting from the field.
As you know, every Laker starter scored in double figures: Andrew Bynum leading his team with 28 Pts, 9 Reb, 3 Ast; Ramon Sessions for 20 Pts, 11 Ast; Kobe Bryant for 18 Pts, 5 Reb, 4 Ast on 5-17 shooting; and Pau Gasol with 10 Pts but 16 Reb, 14 of those offensive ones.
Not much to take away from this one, with the way Portland has been playing it was kind of expected to lose another one to the Lakers. At least the Blazers kept things close. Warriors visit the Rose Garden on Sunday.
photo courtesy of oregonlive.com/blazers
Nicholas Filipas