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Portland Trail Blazers Defeat Injury-Hit Los Angeles Lakers Despite Reaves’ 41-Point Performance

Deni Avdija guarded by Deandre Ayton

Key Takeaways:

  • Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 25 points in Los Angeles
  • Austin Reaves recorded 41 points for the Lakers, following his 51-point game on Sunday
  • Portland will conclude their three-game road trip against the Jazz in Salt Lake City on Wednesday

Match Analysis

The Portland Trail Blazers secured a comprehensive 122-108 victory over the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers on Monday evening at Crypto.com Arena. Portland’s triumph snapped their winless run on the road, coming a day after a 114-107 defeat against the Clippers. The Lakers, hampered by injuries and absences, were unable to contain a well-balanced Blazers attack.

Blazers Share the Load

Deni Avdija paced Portland’s scoring efforts with 25 points, supported by Jrue Holiday’s 24-point, six-assist outing. Jerami Grant made a notable impact off the bench with 22 points, while Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan each contributed 16 points to Portland’s tally.

Reaves’ Lone Effort Falls Short

Austin Reaves was a standout for Los Angeles, notching 41 points just one night after his career-best 51-point performance against the Sacramento Kings. Despite Reaves’ efforts, offensive support from the rest of the Lakers squad was limited. Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton finished with 16 points apiece, and Jarred Vanderbilt added 14.

Injury Report and Ball Security Issues

Los Angeles entered the contest without Luka Doncic (sprained finger/leg bruise), LeBron James (sciatica), Marcus Smart (quadriceps contusion), and Gabe Vincent (sprained left ankle), resulting in seven unavailable players and leaving Reaves as the primary ball handler. The Blazers’ assertive defence forced 25 turnovers, a key factor in their second-half surge. The Lakers also endured difficulties from beyond the arc, shooting 7-for-27 (25.9%) from three-point range.

Shooting Efficiency and Team Statistics

TeamPoints3PT Made/AttemptedTurnoversTop Scorer
Portland Trail Blazers12212/2511Deni Avdija (25)
Los Angeles Lakers1087/2725Austin Reaves (41)

Looking Ahead

  • Trail Blazers will play the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Wednesday
  • Lakers are scheduled to visit the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis on Wednesday

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