Deadspin: Deni Avdija leads Blazers to prevail in battle of unbeatens against Lakers
Portland’s balanced scoring
Avdija and Morant led Portland with 23 points apiece. Holiday contributed 22 points off the bench, and Lillard finished with 21 as the Trail Blazers secured their third consecutive win to start the season.
Robert Williams III had 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Toumani Camara scored 12. Avdija, Lillard and Camara each made four 3-pointers as Portland hit 18 of 36 attempts from long range. The team shot 59% overall.
Doncic leads Lakers effort
Doncic scored 41 points and provided nine assists for Los Angeles, following a 52-point performance against the Utah Jazz two days earlier. Reaves added 26 points and seven assists as the Lakers suffered their first loss in four games.
Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 17 points, Walker Kessler had 13 and Ziaire Williams added 11. Los Angeles shot 56.2% from the field and made 17 of 43 3-point attempts.
Late shots decide the game
Portland held a 128-124 lead after Avdija made a 3-pointer with 2:59 remaining. Williams answered with a 3, and Morant scored twice to keep the Blazers ahead as Doncic’s short shot brought the Lakers within three.
Lillard’s 3-pointer with 43.1 seconds left put Portland up 135-129. Doncic and Reaves missed 3-point attempts on the next possession, and Holiday made one of two free throws to help seal the result.
Lakers build an early lead
Mamukelashvili hit two 3-pointers during a 7-0 run at the end of the first half. Reaves and Doncic opened the second half with 3-pointers, pushing Los Angeles ahead 79-68.
The Lakers later led 97-88, but Portland scored 14 of the period’s final 20 points and entered the fourth quarter down 103-102. Lillard and Camara then made 3-pointers to give the Blazers an eight-point advantage before Reaves capped a 10-2 Lakers run by tying the game at 116.
Key points
- Portland beat Los Angeles 136-129 to extend its season-opening winning streak to three games.
- Avdija and Morant scored 23 points each; Holiday added 22 and Lillard had 21.
- Doncic led the Lakers with 41 points and nine assists.
- Los Angeles’ four-game winning streak came to an end.