Tag: Portland Trail Blazers

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NBA (Basketball)

Portland Trail Blazers take control in second half, defeat Orlando Magic in a blowout

Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic

Reserve Shaedon Sharpe scored 23 points, and the Portland Trail Blazers easily defeated the Orlando Magic 119-90 on Thursday night.

Sharpe made most of his points from long range, hitting 3 of 6 three-pointers as part of a 9-for-14 shooting performance. Scoot Henderson also contributed 23 points and seven assists, while Deandre Ayton added 22 points. Portland improved to 6-1 in its last seven games.

The Trail Blazers took control of the game in the third quarter, using a 13-0 run with 3-pointers from Dalano Banton and Henderson and a three-point play by Sharpe. This gave Portland a strong 87-62 lead with 3:37 left in the third.

Franz Wagner tried to keep Orlando close, scoring a dunk, tipping in a miss, and making four free throws to help the Magic close the gap to 91-73 by the end of the third.

Despite Wagner’s effort, Orlando never got within 15 points during the fourth quarter.

Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz

Wagner finished as Orlando’s top scorer with 24 points, while Paolo Banchero added 21 points and six rebounds. Cole Anthony came off the bench to score 16 points.

The Magic struggled with shooting, making just 5 of 26 three-pointers and shooting 42 percent overall compared to Portland’s 52.6 percent.

Banchero scored eight points in the first quarter to help Orlando take a 35-28 lead into the second quarter.

Orlando was still ahead 40-33 with 10:08 left in the first half before Portland took charge.

The Trail Blazers went ahead 45-44 and then scored 17 of the final 26 points of the second quarter to lead 62-53 at halftime. Henderson led the charge with nine points in just under three minutes.

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NBA (Basketball)

Portland Trail Blazers face uncertainty about their playoff chances this season in Portland

Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets

The Portland Trail Blazers have not had a strong season so far, sitting 13th in the Western Conference standings. They are 4.5 games behind the 10th spot, which is the final play-in position.

It looks like the Blazers are likely to be sellers at the trade deadline next month. Teams are already interested in trading for Jerami Grant to see what the cost would be. Anfernee Simons could also be traded if the price is right. Honestly, not many players are considered untouchable on the team.

Still, players and coaches are holding on to hope that they can make a playoff run. However, this goal seems quite ambitious since they have just started a five-game road trip and lost the first game to the Lakers. The remaining games are against the Bucks, Pistons, Pelicans, and Mavs.

Despite the tough situation, players are staying positive. Toumani Camara still believes they can make a playoff push.

“I can see after this practice that everybody still has a good head on their shoulders,” Camara said. “I mean, we still have a lot of basketball to play. So, we’re trying to stay motivated. Stay positive. I think everybody’s in a good place right now.”

Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves

These players are professionals, so it makes sense they are still focused on winning games. However, it’s not realistic to expect them to perform well enough in the next few months to truly contend for a playoff spot.

It would not only be unrealistic to expect this, but it would also be unwise for the franchise to want that. It would be better for them to continue losing games to improve their lottery chances. Landing a player like Cooper Flagg would be the best way to turn the team’s future around.

If the road trip continues to go badly, Portland could decide to make major moves, which could lead to a trade of valuable players like Jerami Grant. This would mark the end of their season and signal a shift toward rebuilding.

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NBA (Basketball)

Portland Trail Blazers’ playoff chances take a hit following recent defeats in Portland

Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves

In professional basketball, where wins and losses reflect not just the score but also a player’s strength and determination, Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail Blazers is facing a serious mental struggle.

As the Blazers go through another tough season, marked by a series of losses and fading hopes for the playoffs, Simons is at a point where he’s dealing with the emotional and mental effects of years of hardship.

Simons, a skilled shooting guard, remembers a time when playoff dreams were within reach, but now he finds himself uncertain and reflective. The constant defeats seem to follow him, affecting his play on the court.

His shooting percentages are down, his focus has slipped, and there is a noticeable disconnect in his game—Simons shows the challenges of a player caught between professional pressure and personal dreams.

Balancing Loyalty and Ambition

In the middle of a team in transition and personal struggles that could overshadow his abilities, Simons stays loyal to the Blazers.

Despite the temptation of other opportunities and growing dissatisfaction, he remains determined to stay and help the team find a better future.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Houston Rockets (NBA)

In a time when players often push for trades or changes, Simons’ loyalty to the Blazers shows his strength of character.

A Ray of Hope Amidst Struggles: The Future Ahead

As the Blazers face a season filled with heavy losses and missed chances, Simons becomes a source of hope. His journey, full of obstacles and doubts, represents more than just the story of a player—it’s a test of his mental strength and belief in himself.

The next few weeks will show if Simons can rise above his doubts and become stronger, both as a player and a leader, helping his team move forward.

In the complex world of professional basketball, where victories come with hard work and losses are part of growth, Simons’ story stands out as a reminder of the human side of the sport. As he faces challenges of loyalty, ambition, and personal growth, his story highlights the perseverance and determination that true champions possess.

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Max Christie steps up as scorer to lead Lakers past Blazers in Los Angeles

Lebron James- Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James scored 38 points and had eight assists, while Max Christie added a career-high 28 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-106 on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Austin Reaves contributed 15 points and 11 assists as the Lakers won their sixth game in the last eight. The Lakers played without Anthony Davis, who was scratched before the game due to a left ankle sprain. Davis, who leads the team with 26.1 points and 11.6 rebounds, was missed by Los Angeles.

Anfernee Simons led the Blazers with 23 points, and Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each scored 19. Portland has now lost 10 of its last 13 games. Toumani Camara scored 18 points, and Avdija grabbed 10 rebounds for Portland, which is on a seven-game road losing streak. Two of those losses came against the Lakers.

After falling behind by as much as seven points in the second quarter, the Lakers ended the first half on a 10-2 run to lead 60-51. Christie had 12 points in the second quarter alone, while James added 14.

LeBron James reacts in the 1st half

The Lakers extended their lead to 88-75 heading into the fourth quarter, with James (nine points) and Christie (seven) leading the charge in the third.

Los Angeles went up 99-86 with 6:13 left, following Christie’s fifth 3-pointer of the game, but the Blazers fought back. Portland cut the lead to 101-97 after three free throws from Simons and two from Avdija during an 11-2 run.

Simons hit a 3-pointer to bring Portland within a point at 103-100 with 2:30 left. But James responded with five points, helping the Lakers push the lead to 110-102 with 59 seconds remaining.

Without Davis, the Lakers also got a boost from Jaxson Hayes, who returned after missing 15 games with an ankle injury. Hayes scored four points and grabbed six rebounds in 18 minutes of play.

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NBA (Basketball)

Lakers aim for their second win against the Blazers this season

Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers

After the Los Angeles Lakers showed off their new look with mixed results on New Year’s Eve, they will return to the court on Thursday to play the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Lakers lost 122-110 at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who currently have the best record in the NBA, in their first game since trading reserve point guard D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets and giving Austin Reaves a bigger role.

Reaves stepped up in the new role, scoring 35 points, adding 10 assists, and grabbing nine rebounds. Anthony Davis contributed 28 points and 13 rebounds, while LeBron James scored 23 points in his first game after turning 40 on Monday.

Though the Lakers lost for the second time in seven games, they seemed to play more as a team compared to their 134-110 loss at Cleveland on October 30.

“I think we’re trending in the right direction,” Davis said after Los Angeles made just 9 of 35 (25.7 percent) shots from 3-point range. “We just missed a ton of shots, wide-open looks that we missed. We make half of those, it’s a different game. … I think we could definitely be better on both ends of the floor, but I’m not disappointed where we are right now.”

Dorian Finney-Smith, who was traded from the Nets in the Russell deal, made his Lakers debut but played a quiet 20 minutes. He went 1 for 4 from the field, finishing with two points, two rebounds, and two assists.

“It was fun,” Finney-Smith said. “Energy was amazing in there. What I expected. The building was rocking, but we didn’t get the win.”

Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets

The Trail Blazers had recently won two straight games but were defeated 125-103 at home by the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Anfernee Simons led Portland with 25 points, and Deni Avdija added 17.

Portland made just 8 of 36 (22.2 percent) of their 3-point shots, well below their season average of 33.1 percent. Avdija committed 10 of the Blazers’ 26 turnovers, which the 76ers turned into 36 points.

“I’m taking responsibility,” Avdija said. “I’ve never had that amount. The ball was not in my hands very good today.”

Avdija was starting in place of Jerami Grant, who missed the game due to a face injury. Without Grant’s 15.0 points per game, Portland struggled in the third quarter, getting outscored 27-18 as the game slipped away.

“It’s one of those games that when you have all those things working against you at one time, you usually have a scary night,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said.

Billups returned after missing the two victories to attend his grandmother’s funeral. Robert Williams III (ankle) played again, but Dalano Banton (hip) missed his third straight game.

This will be the second meeting between the teams this season, with the Lakers winning 107-98 over the Blazers on December 8 in Los Angeles. James missed that game with foot soreness, and Rui Hachimura stepped up with a season-high 23 points.

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NBA (Basketball)

The Dallas Mavericks aim for another win against the Portland Trail Blazers without star Luka Doncic

Dallas Mavericks (NBA)

The Dallas Mavericks will be without Luka Doncic for at least another month, but they continue to win without him. On Saturday, they will try to improve to 8-2 this season without their star when they face the Portland Trail Blazers.

Doncic injured his left calf during a Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, the Mavericks managed to win 98-89 on the road against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, despite Doncic’s absence.

Kyrie Irving, who made his first four shots, ended the game with 20 points, shooting 6 of 21 overall. It was a team effort that helped Dallas secure its 15th win in the last 19 games.

Irving is confident that the team’s success will continue against Portland. “We can’t drop any games,” Irving said after Friday’s win. “This is an important part of the season. This is where teams either start dropping off or improving.”

Four other Mavericks players scored in double digits, and the win went just as coach Jason Kidd had planned. “Injuries are injuries,” Kidd said about Doncic. “We’ve played without him. Next-man-up mentality, and that’s what we’re facing now. The depth of our team is being tested, and those guys in that locker room are up for that test.”

Dallas defeated Portland 132-108 on Monday in their previous meeting. Doncic had 27 points in that game, and the Mavericks have won the last six matchups against the Trail Blazers.

Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings

Portland had been struggling with eight losses in nine games before securing a 122-120 home win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Scoot Henderson hit the game-winning shot with just 0.1 seconds left.

“You dream of plays like that,” Henderson said. He finished the game with 18 points and 10 assists, marking his third straight double-digit scoring game after struggling with shooting in the previous three games.

Henderson dismissed the idea that he needed a confidence boost from the game. “I don’t need nothing,” he said. “I need my family, my support, and God. Everything else is gonna be up and down anyway. So, I don’t think I needed a game like this.”

Deni Avdija also had a standout game for Portland, scoring a season-high 27 points with eight rebounds and six assists. Shaedon Sharpe added 27 points and made five 3-pointers, while Deandre Ayton contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Portland’s head coach Chauncey Billups will miss his second straight game due to his grandmother’s funeral. Assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren is stepping in as acting coach. In the loss to Dallas on Monday, Avdija led Portland with 19 points.

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NBA (Basketball)

Scoot Henderson leads Blazers to last-second win over Jazz

Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz

Scoot Henderson made a game-winning step-back jumper with just one-tenth of a second left, giving the Portland Trail Blazers a 122-120 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. This clutch shot helped Portland secure only their second win in 10 games, overcoming a 15-point deficit in the second half.

Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen tied the game with five straight points in the final 40.2 seconds. Deni Avdija scored 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, while Shaedon Sharpe added 12 of his 27 points in the same period. Deandre Ayton finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, contributing to the Blazers’ comeback win. Henderson recorded 18 points and 10 assists.

Markkanen led the Jazz with 25 points, as they ended their road trip with a 2-3 record. Collin Sexton had 19 points and 11 assists, Svi Mykhailiuk added 18 points with six 3-pointers, Drew Eubanks scored 15, and Johnny Juzang finished with 14 points in the loss.

Avdija had a strong finish to the game, helping Portland go up 118-112. He blocked a Jazz shot, grabbed two rebounds, scored two baskets, and made three free throws in a personal 7-0 run.

Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers

Sharpe extended the Blazers’ lead to 120-115 with a layup, but Markkanen tied the game with two free throws and a 3-pointer in the final 40.2 seconds.

The Jazz came out strong in the second half, with Sexton and Mykhailiuk leading a 16-0 run. Sexton scored seven points, while Mykhailiuk hit three 3-pointers in a span of 82 seconds, giving Utah a 70-55 lead. Jerami Grant ended the Blazers’ drought with three free throws nearly four minutes into the third quarter.

Juzang pushed Utah’s lead to 94-84 early in the fourth, but the Blazers quickly shifted the momentum with three straight 3-pointers from Anfernee Simons, Grant, and Sharpe, along with a tip-in by Donovan Clingan to give Portland a one-point lead after an 11-0 run.

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NBA (Basketball)

Jazz aim to replicate their strongest performance of the season against the Blazers

Utah Jazz (NBA)

The Utah Jazz will look to repeat their biggest win of the season when they play the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. This game marks the end of a five-game road trip for the Jazz, who defeated the Blazers by 42 points, 141-99, in Portland on December 6.

In that game, Johnny Juzang stepped up for the Jazz, scoring 22 points while Lauri Markkanen was sidelined due to a back injury. Walker Kessler also had a strong performance with 13 points, 17 rebounds, and five blocks. Utah led by as many as 46 points, which caused Blazers fans to boo their team on their own court.

“That’s a really good team win start to finish,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said after that victory. “I hope the guys feel good about it. They continue to work hard, they continue to stick together. We’ve had some tough moments, and they work through those. I hope they enjoy (the win), because they played really, really hard.”

Since that game, the Jazz lost three in a row but have won two of their last three, keeping it close in a 124-113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. In that game, the Jazz were just one point behind in the final minutes, but the Cavaliers finished strong.

Utah’s top players — Jordan Clarkson (27 points), Markkanen (26), and Collin Sexton (24) — all played well against Cleveland. The Jazz had momentum after winning back-to-back games against the Detroit Pistons (126-119) and Brooklyn Nets (105-94).

Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings

“The competitiveness, the togetherness that our group is showing has risen a ton in the last two weeks,” Hardy said after the Cleveland game. “I think it sets the environment up for real improvement to happen.”

Walker Kessler was a key player in the game against the Cavaliers, contributing nine points, 16 rebounds, three blocks, and three assists. Hardy praised Kessler for his ability to impact the game even without scoring many points.

“Walker has gotten so much better,” Hardy said. “His ability to impact winning without scoring a lot of points continues to grow.”

The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are returning home after two losses in Texas, including a 114-94 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs and a 132-108 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Portland has dropped eight of its last nine games, with its only win in that stretch coming at home.

Deandre Ayton, who led the Blazers with 16 points against Dallas, mentioned that the team is still focusing on improving their fundamentals and communication.

“Our defense is what really creates our offense, and gets us moving and grooving,” Ayton said. “We just need to make shots.”

Portland has struggled recently, losing their last six games and 12 of their last 14 against Dallas.

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NBA (Basketball)

Luka Doncic Shines As Mavericks Secure Win Over Blazers

Mavericks Secure Win Over Blazers (Photo: NFL)

Luka Dončić made his return after missing two games due to a left heel contusion, scoring 27 points in the Dallas Mavericks’ 132-108 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.

The All-Star guard described his performance as “OK.”

“Nothing really special,” said Dončić, who also recorded seven rebounds and seven assists in 30 minutes of play. “The important thing was we got the win. I think everybody was involved, and that’s how we’ve got to play.”

Five Mavericks players scored in double figures as the team secured their 14th victory in their last 17 games, improving to a 19-10 record and holding the fourth spot in the Western Conference.

Mavericks Secure Win Over Blazers (Photo: NFL)

Dončić missed his first shot, a 3-pointer, and ended the first quarter shooting 1-of-6 and 0-of-3 from behind the arc. He finished the game 1-for-7 from three-point range.

In the second quarter, he scored 10 points and had three and-1 plays in the first half.

“Mavs coach Jason Kidd praised Dončić’s ability to use his body to position himself, noting, “He knows the space that he has to get to, and he does it at a very high level.

So, if it’s not an and-1, he’s going to the free throw line. For him being out, getting to the free throw line was important just to get his rhythm.”

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With Kevin Durant returning, Suns aim to find consistency against the Trail Blazers

Phoenix Suns- Kevin Durant

The Phoenix Suns are still looking for consistency and better health as they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night at the Footprint Center.

Kevin Durant, who missed three games due to an ankle injury, returned to the Suns’ lineup and scored 30 points in a win over the Utah Jazz on Friday night. However, the Suns weren’t fully healthy, as star guard Bradley Beal missed the game with knee soreness. This has led to rumors about the Suns possibly making a trade, with Miami Heat guard Jimmy Butler’s name being mentioned.

Durant, Beal, and Devin Booker, the Suns’ Big Three, have only played together for 175 minutes this season. Beal is listed as day-to-day.

Booker has been carrying most of the scoring load, averaging just under 26 points per game. He tied his season high with six three-pointers in the win over the Jazz. Suns center Jusuf Nurkic also returned after missing two weeks with a quad injury.

Suns fans were happy to have Durant back, as the team has been hovering around .500 but has higher expectations.

“He is such a dynamic scorer,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said of Durant after Friday’s win. “He can just shoot over guys and he creates double-teams (in the post) where he pulls guys in. He’s a great scorer and great playmaker.”

On the other hand, Portland has lost nine of its last 11 games, including a loss to the Spurs on Friday where they blew a 17-point lead in the second half. Despite the loss, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups remains optimistic.

Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers

“I was proud of our group, I thought we played hard as heck, and there are so many things we can learn from,” Billups said.

Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan returned after missing almost three weeks with a sprained MCL. He played 15 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing seven rebounds. It was his first game without blocking a shot in his young NBA career.

“He was a bit rusty down there, but you see the impact he has at the rim,” Billups said. “It’s not just protecting the rim, but rebounding the ball. I thought it was OK.”

Portland’s struggles continue on offense. They are ranked 29th in the NBA in field-goal shooting at 43.8 percent and 27th in scoring at 106.8 points per game. They are also allowing 116.1 points per game.

Anfernee Simons leads the Blazers with 17.1 points per game and tied a season high with 30 points in the loss to the Spurs. Jerami Grant scored 22 of his 32 points in the third quarter, which was tied for the eighth-most points in a quarter by a player this season.

“They have both struggled offensively,” Billups said. “So it was great to see them both kind of look normal. I mean 22 points in a quarter isn’t normal for anybody, but (Jerami) makes those shots at a pretty good clip and Ant got off and got going.”

The Suns won their first meeting with the Blazers 103-97 on Nov. 2 in Phoenix.

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NBA (Basketball)

Victor Wembanyama, back to full strength, leads the Spurs against the Blazers

Victor Wembanyama celebrates a basket in the 1st half

Victor Wembanyama has enjoyed the four days off without a game. The 7-foot-3 star has been able to rest his sore back and expects to be fully healthy when the San Antonio Spurs play the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

Wembanyama missed the Spurs’ game against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 6 because of back issues. He returned to play against the New Orleans Pelicans two days later, but had to leave the game in the first half due to back pain before coming back later.

This break may be just what Wembanyama needed. “Time off has been really beneficial for us,” he said. “Beneficial for me as I can keep from getting hit. … I do feel better.”

Wembanyama has been performing well on the court, averaging 23.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.4 blocked shots in 19 games.

However, there have been times when his back pain has impacted his game.

“Not in a good way,” Wembanyama said with a laugh. “It’s something different than what I’ve experienced in my career. It’s not a big deal, but sometimes it stops me from doing things.”

Wembanyama played 26 minutes in the Spurs’ 121-116 win over the Pelicans. He scored 25 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and had three blocked shots, helping the Spurs end a three-game losing streak.

This marked his fourth straight double-double, including one triple-double.

Stephon Castle scored 22 points against the Pelicans, and veteran Chris Paul had 10 assists to move into second place on the all-time assists list. Paul now has 12,099 assists, passing Jason Kidd who has 12,091. John Stockton leads with 15,806.

Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers

Portland is on a four-game losing streak and has lost eight of their last 10 games after falling 107-98 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

The Trail Blazers may have Robert Williams III (concussion) back on the floor after he returned to practice on Thursday. Portland coach Chauncey Billups said Williams still has one test to pass before being cleared. Williams has missed the past six games.

Rookie center Donovan Clingan (knee) may also be available, as long as he doesn’t have a setback. He has missed the last seven games.

Clingan, the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft, has shown his potential, averaging 5.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 17 minutes per game.

“I want to bring a little more energy, bring a little more pop and fire,” the 20-year-old Clingan said. “Run the floor, block shots, rebound and play defense and help the team win some more games.”

For Portland to start winning, they need to improve their defense quickly. The Trail Blazers allowed an average of 135 points in the first three games of their current losing streak but lowered that number against the Lakers.

“Defensively, our pressure has lightened up,” Billups said. “I think we have gotten a little lax defensively.”

San Antonio lost forwards Keldon Johnson (calf) and Zach Collins (back) during the win over New Orleans. Their status for the game on Friday was unclear as of Thursday afternoon.

San Antonio beat Portland 118-105 at home on Nov. 7. The two teams will play again in San Antonio on Dec. 21.

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NBA (Basketball)

Anthony Davis leads the Lakers to a win over the Blazers, snapping their three-game losing streak

Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers

Anthony Davis scored 30 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked five shots to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.

D’Angelo Russell had a season-high 28 points and 14 assists for the Lakers, who played without LeBron James (foot). Rui Hachimura added 23 points and four steals, helping the Lakers end a three-game losing streak.

For the Trail Blazers, Shaedon Sharpe scored 19 points, and Deandre Ayton had 14 points and a season-high 19 rebounds before fouling out. Anfernee Simons also scored 14 points, while Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija each added 13.

The Lakers took control in the fourth quarter when Russell made two 3-pointers and Cam Reddish added another during a 9-0 run, giving Los Angeles a 97-81 lead with 7:14 left to play.

Hachimura and Davis each hit 3-pointers, and the Lakers’ lead grew to 103-85 with 5:31 remaining. The lead reached 20 points, and the Lakers secured just their third win in the last 10 games.

Los Angeles made 45.8 percent of their shots, including 13 of 34 from 3-point range, with Russell hitting five of those.

Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reaves (back/pelvis) missed his fifth straight game for the Lakers.

Jerami Grant scored only three points on 1-of-12 shooting for Portland. The Trail Blazers shot 41.7 percent overall and 9 of 36 from 3-point range.

Portland’s Robert Williams III (concussion) missed his sixth straight game.

The Trail Blazers were down by 14 points at halftime but started the second half with a 9-0 run, pulling within 59-54 on a three-point play by Simons.

The Lakers responded with a 9-2 run, ending with Dalton Knecht’s dunk, pushing the lead back to 68-56 with 4:50 left in the third.

Henderson intercepted Russell’s long pass in the final seconds of the third quarter, dribbled to midcourt, and hit a 48-foot shot, bringing Portland within 77-74 as time expired.

The Blazers were ahead 35-27 after Avdija’s basket with 8:43 left in the first half, but the Lakers then went on a 30-8 run, including 15 straight points. Max Christie and Gabe Vincent capped the run with back-to-back 3-pointers, giving Los Angeles a 57-43 lead.

The Lakers were up 59-45 at halftime, with Davis scoring 18 points and Hachimura adding 16. Sharpe had 12 points for the Blazers in the first half.