Without LeBron James, Lakers beat Trail Blazers at home, move to .500 – Whittier Daily News

Austin Reeves of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena on November 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Olyphant/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers know Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Lakers will need to take a committee meeting approach. The Portland Trail Blazers were playing their first game this season without star forward LeBron James.

That’s exactly what they got, as Anthony Davis (30 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks) led the Lakers to a 116-110 victory over the Trail Blazers in Game 10 The Lieutenants lead .500 (5-5) this season.

Despite the Lakers’ talent advantage, the short-handed Trail Blazers were still in pursuit.

The game was within single digits throughout the first half and much of the third quarter, with Cam Reddish (season-highs 18 points and seven rebounds) and D’Angelo Russell (11 points) , a double-double with 11 assists) helped the team maintain its offense in the first two quarters.

Davis and Austin Reeves (18 points, four assists and four rebounds off the bench) gave the Lakers the necessary push late in the third quarter to create a meaningful margin. The two combined to score 19 points in the third quarter, including 16 points in 5 minutes and 35 seconds of this quarter. The Lakers entered the third quarter with a 91-80 lead.

The Trail Blazers held on and didn’t let the Lakers seal the victory easily. Jerami Grant’s 3-pointer cut Portland’s deficit to 108-106 with just over two minutes left.

From there, the Lakers got to know their top scorer. With 1 minute and 57 seconds left in the game, Davis broke through Grant and then turned around and hit a jumper. The Lakers led 110-106. In the next offense, Davis assisted Hachimura (19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals) for a layup after double-teaming in the low post, and the Lakers led 112-106.

The Trail Blazers didn’t score again until Grant’s layup narrowed the gap to 112-108 with 18 seconds left. Rui Hachimura started instead of James, and Reeves sealed the victory with a free throw at the last moment.

The Lakers had six players score in double figures, including Taurean Prince (11 points on 5-of-9 shooting).

James is out with a left calf contusion suffered in Friday’s road win over the Phoenix Suns.

The Trail Blazers lost Malcolm Brogdon (left hamstring), No. 3 pick Scott Henderson (right ankle), Anfernee Simons (right thumb) and Robert Williams III (right knee).

The Lakers return to Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on the first night of a back-to-back before taking on the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.