Damian Lillard had 48 points (23 in the third quarter) and 10 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers went on a 14-3 run in the third quarter to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 127-119.
The Lakers went on a 13-5 run to lead 81-77 with 6:07 left in the third quarter. Lillard’s four-point play put the Trail Blazers ahead for good with 4:44 left in the quarter. He scored 12 points during the run, and they led 91-84 with 3:16 left in the quarter and by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers got within 108-105 on LeBron James’ pull-up 3-pointer with 7:47 to play, but CJ McCollum answered with a turnaround jumper, and the Lakers got no closer than 112-108.
During clutch time, the Trail Blazers outscored the Lakers 8-0. Hassan Whiteside scored 4 of the Trail Blazers’ 8 on 2 for 2 shooting.
Whiteside had 30 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks on 13 for 14 shooting, and Trevor Ariza added 2 points and a season-high 6 steals. The Trail Blazers had 2 30-point scorers. Lillard and Whiteside set each other up for 6 baskets and 14 points, 2 of them during the 14-3 run.
For the Lakers, Anthony Davis had 37 points (18 in the first quarter), 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks, and James added 22 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Lakers forced 7 turnovers, about 9 fewer than usual for this many possessions. They outscored the Trail Blazers 42-24 on the fast break. Wenyen Gabriel fouled out.