Here is a by-the-numbers look at the Lakers’ 107-77 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
12
Points scored by the Lakers in the first quarter. L.A. got off to a horrendous start, shooting just 6-for-24 (25.0 percent) in the opening frame. Portland, meanwhile, lapped the Lakers by pouring in 26 points on an 11-for-23 clip (47.8 percent). Damian Lillard was particularly lethal, racking up 14 points in the first quarter alone by shooting 5-for-6 from the field and hitting all four of his 3-pointers.
Lakers Shot Chart (First Quarter)
“I was disappointed at the start because I didn’t think we came out ready,” head coach Byron Scott said. “I thought they came out like, ‘Listen, let’s punch them in the mouth and see how they react.’ I didn’t think we reacted very well. I’m disappointed in that aspect.”
26.1
Percentage shot by L.A.’s bench, which was much worse for the majority of the night. D-League call-up Dwight Buycks entered the game with fewer than seven minutes left and scored eight points on 3-for-4 shooting. However, the rest of L.A.’s subs — who average 40.5 points — went just 3-for-19 from the field for 13 points.
27
Points scored by Jordan Clarkson. Hours after being named Rookie of the Month, Clarkson once again powered the Lakers. The 22-year-old shot 12-for 20 from the field, marking the second-highest scoring total of his career. Clarkson also pitched in in other areas, tallying seven rebounds and five assists.
“I thought he took the challenge like he has all season long,” Scott said. “He single-handedly got us back in the game in the second quarter. He’s a guy that has that mental and physical toughness that we’re talking about.”
32
Portland’s biggest lead of the night. The Lakers entered the fourth quarter after trimming the Trail Blazers’ lead back to 11. However, Portland took over from there by burying L.A. with a 23-2 run to start the period. During this stretch, the Lakers missed all nine of their shots, while the Blazers went 8-for-11 and enjoyed a 10-4 rebounding advantage.
53
Rebounds hauled in by Portland, which had 10 more than the home team. The Lakers fought closely on the boards for three quarters but could not contend in the fourth. The Trail Blazers enjoyed a 16-7 advantage during the final period, in which they outscored L.A., 33-14.