Lillard, Blazers hand Lakers 11th loss

LOS ANGELES – Damian Lillard had 30 points and a career-high 13 assists, and CJ McCollum added 19 points in the Portland Trail Blazers' sixth consecutive victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-93 on Sunday night (Monday in Manila).

 

Mason Plumlee added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Blazers, who have won two straight after a seven-game skid. Portland has won a franchise-record five straight road games against the Lakers after maintaining a steady lead throughout the second half.

 

Kobe Bryant scored 18 points on 6-for-22 shooting, missing all five of his 3-point attempts in the Lakers' third straight loss. Los Angeles' 2-11 start is one game behind their pace from last season, the worst year in franchise history.

 

Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 19 points, and Lou Williams added 14.

 

The Lakers trimmed Portland's lead to three points with four minutes to play, but Portland scored eight straight points capped by four from Lillard, who made up for an inconsistent outside shot with exceptional playmaking throughout.

 

KOBE'S MINUTES

Bryant played a season-high 37 minutes in Friday's loss to Toronto, but returned after just one day off to play 31 minutes against Portland. Coach Byron Scott still insists he will limit the 20-year veteran's mileage by monitoring his minutes and his playing segments. Bryant returned with only 3:39 remaining against the Blazers, leaving for good when Portland wrapped it up.

 

STRUGGLING STROKE

Bryant's 0-for-5 effort on 3-pointers made him 1 for 14 beyond the arc in the last three games. He is a miserable 14 for 70 on 3-pointers this season.

 

INJURY AVERTED?

D'Angelo Russell went to the locker room during the third quarter with a mildly sprained left ankle, but the Lakers rookie returned to finish with 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

 

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: They host the Lakers on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) after three days off. 7-footer Meyers Leonard missed his sixth straight game with a dislocated left shoulder. He has participated in parts of practice for the past week, but hasn't played since Nov. 11.

 

Lakers: Randle played despite a sore big toe on his left foot. They play 10 of their next 11 games on the road.

 

UP NEXT

Trail Blazers host Bulls while the Lakers visit the Warriors. Both games are on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). 

 

The Lakers are the only thing standing between the 15-0 defending champs and the best start to a season in NBA history.