LeBron James scored 38 factors, Max Christie had a career-high 28 and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of Anthony Davis for a 114-106 victory over the Portland Path Blazers on Thursday evening.
James made a season-high seven three-pointers and Christie added 5 for the Lakers, who gained six of eight. Austin Reaves contributed 15 factors, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Los Angeles held on to beat Portland for the fifth straight time.
Davis sat out for less than the second time this season to relaxation his sprained left ankle, which the star massive man injured over Christmas. Level guard Gabe Vincent was additionally injured in his hip.
Anfernee Simons scored 11 of her 23 factors within the fourth quarter for the Blazers, who misplaced 4 of six. Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija added 19 factors every.
Jaxson Hayes had 4 factors beginning instead of Davis in his return from a 15-game harm absence.
Dorian Finney-Smith scored three factors and Shake Milton scored 4 within the veterans’ second sport for the Lakers since arriving in a commerce with Brooklyn.
Takeaways
Path Blazers: The primary and fourth quarters had been promising, however they waited too lengthy to get aggressive within the first sport of a five-game highway journey after going 3-9 in December.
Lakers: Christie emerges as a key contributor in his third season. He scored in double figures for the fourth time in 5 video games, offering 3-and-D excellence.
Key second
Portland trailed 99-86 with 6:13 left, however went on a 14-4 run. James and Christie mixed for 11 factors down the stretch, capped by James’ seventh 3-pointer with 59 seconds remaining.
Key statistic
14 of 24 — James’ 3-pointers in final 4 video games. He turned 40 in the course of this torrid interval.
To be continued
The Lakers host Atlanta on Friday. The Blazers go to Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
