Two struggling groups which have absorbed some intensive beatdowns in latest days get collectively Sunday night time when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Portland Path Blazers.
Each groups have dropped three straight video games and 7 of their previous 9 whereas sinking the Western Convention standings.
Los Angeles misplaced back-to-back highway video games by 29 factors to the Minnesota Timberwolves and 41 to the Miami Warmth earlier within the week earlier than falling 134-132 in extra time to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night time.
It was clearly an improved effort however a late defensive breakdown allowed Atlanta’s Trae Younger to empty an open 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left to offer the Hawks the victory.
LeBron James had 39 factors, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his seventh triple-double this season and 119th of his profession. However one other setback did not sit nicely with the 39-year-old, who’s miffed over the staff’s latest struggles.
“I do not know so far as what’s going to get us over the hump,” James mentioned. “We simply obtained to only not drown. Do not drown and we’ll be all proper.”
Anthony Davis additionally had an enormous outing with 38 factors, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
He’s equally as perplexed over why the Lakers are only one recreation over .500 and sitting in tenth place within the Western Convention.
“There is no cavalry,” Davis mentioned. “Nobody feels sorry for us. We will not really feel sorry for ourselves. Simply obtained to proceed to place our head down and grind and work. Attempt to get again within the win column on Sunday in opposition to Portland. … No recreation’s going to be simple for us, so we obtained to go take the win.”
Los Angeles guard Austin Reaves (again/pelvis) has missed the previous 4 video games. The Lakers are hopeful he can play in opposition to the Path Blazers.
Portland has suffered back-to-back lopsided losses, falling 127-105 on the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday earlier than being annihilated 141-99 by the visiting Utah Jazz on Friday night time.
The Jazz had simply 4 wins getting into the competition and led by as many as 46 factors. The house followers let the Path Blazers know they have been giving a substandard efficiency.
Portland coach Chauncey Billups was disturbed by the beatdown.
“It was ugly, clearly. All the way in which round, it was ugly,” Billups mentioned. “It was unlucky as a result of I actually did assume we have been prepared for this recreation.
“We obtained on the market and nothing labored from the start. It was a troublesome one.”
Utah owned the boards with a 61-34 rebounding benefit and in addition outscored Portland 39-18 in fastbreak factors.
The rebounding was damage by the absences of Robert Williams III (concussion) and rookie Donovan Clingan (knee).
A substandard effort by Deandre Ayton was additionally a serious difficulty. Ayton performed briefly initially of the second half earlier than Billups pulled him to finish his night time at 17 minutes.
“I did not like his spirit within the recreation,” Billups mentioned.
Ahead Toumani Camara (proper foot) was injured in opposition to the Jazz. Billups mentioned assessments will decide the severity of his difficulty.
Second-year level guard Scoot Henderson (quadriceps) additionally stays sidelined.
Jerami Grant and Dalano Banton scored 19 factors apiece for Portland.
The Lakers went 3-0 in opposition to the Path Blazers final season.
–Subject Degree Media
