Lakers-Trail Blazers Preview

By JEFF MEZYDLO
Posted Jan 04 2012 8:48PM

Even without one of the NBA's best players, the Portland Trail Blazers are off to a strong start.

After a rough first two games, the Los Angeles Lakers also appear ready to again challenge for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Looking to build on a victory over one of the West's other favorites, the Trail Blazers host the surging Lakers on Thursday night.

Despite losing All-Star Brandon Roy to an injury-induced early retirement, Portland (4-1) won its first three games then rebounded from a five-point road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers by winning 103-93 at Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 30 points while Gerald Wallace added 13 with 10 rebounds for the West-leading Trail Blazers, who held the Thunder to 40 points on 34.0 percent shooting in the second half.

"We've got a lot of players that can do a lot of different things," said guard Wesley Matthews, who had 16 points, six rebounds and four steals.

"You can't replace Brandon Roy, with all of the things that he did for this organization and the community itself. But we've got a lot of guys that are willing to."

Oklahoma City was just 5 of 20 from 3-point range, and opponents are shooting 26.3 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 94.0 points against the Trail Blazers.

"That's the way we're capable of playing," said guard Raymond Felton, who added 12 points and seven assists. "I feel like if we play like that, or at least try to, we'll have a good season."

Aldridge, averaging 22.2 points, totaled 53 on 22-of-37 shooting and pulled down 25 boards as Portland split a pair of home games with the Lakers last season.

Los Angeles won the first three meetings before losing 93-86 at Portland on April 8. The Trail Blazers have won their first three games at the Rose Garden this season and 13 of 14 there dating to 2010-11.

The Lakers have won two of three at Portland following a nine-game road skid in the series.

After dropping its first two contests, Los Angeles won for the fourth time in five games Tuesday, 108-99 over Houston.

Kobe Bryant scored 37 points and the Lakers (4-3) continued to benefit from the return of center Andrew Bynum from a season-opening four-game suspension stemming from a hard hit on former Dallas guard J.J. Barea during the 2011 playoffs.

Bynum, who finished with 21 points and 22 rebounds Tuesday, has averaged 22.7 and 17.0, respectively, in three games. Finally healthy, the 7-footer might be able to provide the consistent production the Lakers hoped for when they selected him with the 10th overall pick in 2005.

"We all know the amount of talent he has, and he's really worked on it," Bryant said. "The thing that I like about him is that he has an engine inside of him, and he wants to dominate. He has ambition to be great."

Bynum has averaged just 6.2 points and 5.5 boards in 11 games versus Portland.

Bryant, who broke out Tuesday after totaling 33 points on 12-of-46 shooting in the previous two contests, has averaged 33.5 points in his last 15 games at the Rose Garden.

Wallace scores 31 as Blazers beat Lakers 107-96

By ANNE M. PETERSON
Posted Jan 06 2012 2:41AM

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Gerald Wallace knew exactly when the Portland Trail Blazers had the Los Angeles Lakers beaten.

It was a little more than midway through the third quarter and the Blazers were in the midst of a 17-6 run that would seal their 107-96 victory Thursday night.

Kobe Bryant missed a 3-point attempt and Marcus Camby pulled down the rebound before hurling the ball downcourt to Wallace, who leapt for a stunning windmill dunk that put Portland up 70-66.

"I think that was the game-changer," said Wallace, who joked that he only performed the highlight-reel dunk because teammate LaMarcus Aldridge promised he'd make one, too.

"Watch out for L.A.'s windmill next," he laughed.

Wallace finished with 31 points, including the windmill, while Aldridge added 28 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Portland, which led by as many as 14 points, had just four turnovers despite pushing the tempo for the entire game.

The Blazers sit atop the Western Conference at 5-1 - their lone loss coming on New Year's Day at the Clippers.

Kobe Bryant scored 30 points despite a torn ligament in his right wrist, and Andrew Bynum had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who have had trouble at the Rose Garden with losses in 11 of their last 13 games there.

"They (the Blazers) played a heckuva game," Lakers coach Mike Brown said. "Portland came out in the second half and pushed the pace, and we came apart."

Los Angeles went 0 for 11 from 3-point range. It was the first time that the team had a game without a 3-pointer since November, 2003.

The Lakers, who fell to 4-4, were coming off a 108-99 home victory over Houston on Tuesday. Bynum, who was suspended for the first four games of the season, had 21 points and 22 rebounds against the Rockets - the first 20-20 game of his career.

The Blazers were coming off a 103-93 victory at Oklahoma City, another statement win to open the lockout-shortened season.

"It's still early," Aldridge said. "It's always good to get off to a quick start, especially in a short season. But we know it's a process."

The Lakers were without Josh McRoberts, who sat out a second straight game with a strained big toe on his left foot.

Blazers coach Nate McMillan promised that Portland would run against the Lakers, and the result was a frenetic pace from the start. Paul Gasol's tip-in gave Los Angeles their biggest lead of the first half at 28-21.

The Blazers closed the gap and Jamal Crawford's jumper and free throw put them up 36-35 with just over 8 minutes to go in the half. The lead was short-lived but Portland stayed close.

Los Angeles shot 61 percent from the field, but led just 56-52 at the half. Portland shot 43 percent. Both teams were even at 46 percent in the end.

The Blazers trailed 60-59 early in the third quarter before Wallace made a layup and a free throw early to spark a 17-6 run that included his dunk. The surge was capped by Wesley Matthews' 3-pointer that made it 76-66.

Crawford made a 27-foot 3-pointer as time ran out in the third to put Portland up 84-74.

"They came out in the second half and just beat us down the court in transition and that was it," Bynum said. "We've got to get back on D, that's huge for us."

Wallace appeared to seal it with a fast-break layup past falling Lakers guard Steve Blake that made it 96-83 with 6:39 left.

Bryant was asked after the game about the storyline of losses in Portland.

"It drives me crazy," he said.

The Blazers travel to Phoenix to play the Suns on Friday night, while the Lakers host Golden State at the Staples Center.

Notes: The Lakers have won seven of the last eight meetings with the Blazers at Staples Center. ... Blazers G Wesley Matthews' dad Wes played for the Lakers from 1986-88 during his nine-year NBA career. ... Oregon Ducks running back Kenjon Barner had a courtside seat. ... A fan in the crowd had a sign reading "Tonight I'm against World Peace" - a jab at the former Ron Artest. ... Brown insisted Bryant wasn't having trouble physically. "He was fine. Shooting 13 of 24 is pretty good for a 2-guard." ... The Lakers out-rebounded the Blazers 47-39.

Notebook: Trail Blazers 107, Lakers 96

By Kerry Eggers, for NBA.com
Posted Friday January 6, 2012 1:33AM

THE FACTS: Forwards Gerald Wallace and LaMarcus Aldridge combined for 59 points as the Trail Blazers (5-1) beat the Lakers for the 11th time in the last 13 meetings at the Rose Garden. Portland outscored L.A. 32-18 in the third quarter. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers (4-4) with 30 points and eight rebounds while Andrew Bynum had 21 points, 12 boards and three blocks.

QUOTABLE: "This was a great team effort. [The Lakers] came out running -- we're not used to seeing a Laker team like that -- but our defense settled down in the second half, we were able to get some stops, get out into transition and force them into our style of play."
-- Blazers' Gerald Wallace.

THE STAT: The Lakers went 0-for-11 from 3-point range, the first time they haven't hit at least one trey in a game since November 2003. Also: Portland had a season-low four turnovers after committing 25 in its last home game against Denver.

TURNING POINT: The score was 66-66 midway through the third quarter when Wallace scored back-to-back baskets, including a resounding dunk on a run-out, to key a 10-0 Portland surge.

QUOTABLE II: "Give Portland credit. [The Blazers] played a heck of a game. They came out the second half and pushed the pace, and we kind of came apart."
-- Lakers coach Mike Brown.

HOT: The Lakers hit 10 of their first 11 shots -- and still led only 20-19.

NOT: The Laker bench was a collective 5-for-24 from the field.

QUOTABLE III: "That's his game. You have to let Gerald go and allow him the freedom to play. His hustle, his energy -- we feed off of that. We've been good when he's played like that."
-- Blazers coach Nate McMillan on Wallace's season-high 31 points.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Kenjon Barner, running back for the Rose Bowl champion Oregon Ducks, sat courtside next to the Lakers' bench.

GOOD MOVE: McMillan used small forward Wallace to defend Bryant much of the game. Bryant got his points, but had to work for them.

BAD MOVE: The Blazers got their first points of the game on an "own" goal when Bynum and Matt Barnes, fighting for a rebound, tipped the ball in at the Portland basket.

NOTABLE: Portland fans at home waiting for the TNT telecast missed the entire first half. The Miami-Atlanta game -- opener for the network's doubleheader -- went into triple overtime.

UP NEXT: For the Blazers, at Phoenix Friday, Cleveland Sunday, L.A. Clippers Tuesday. For the Lakers, Golden State Friday, Memphis Sunday, Phoenix Tuesday.

• Lakers: Caracter, McRoberts
• Trail Blazers: Babbitt, Johnson, Oden

• Lakers: --
• Trail Blazers: --

• Lead Changes: 3
• Times Tied: 9

• Arena: Rose Garden, Portland, OR
• Officials: #13 Monty McCutchen, #35 Kane Fitzgerald, #58 Josh Tiven
• Attendance: 20444
• Duration: 2:23