PORTLAND, OR, Jan. 23 (BNA): LeBron James scored 37 points and 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers tied the game in the second half to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 121-112 Sunday night.
Thomas Bryant added 31 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won three of their last four games after a three-game losing streak, the Associated Press reports.
Anfernee Simmons scored 31 points for the Blazers, who lost three in a row. Damian Lillard added 24 points and 10 assists.
The Blazers led by as many as 25 points in the first half, but the Lakers cut the lead to 91-86 after beating Portland 40-20 in the third quarter.
Troy Brown, Jr. made a 3-pointer that got the Lakers within 97-95, before they took the lead at Bryant’s 3-pointer with 7:54 left.
James made a pair of free throws with 4:36 left pushing the Lakers’ lead to 107-103. After Lillard made free throws, Dennis Schroeder put up a 3-pointer for Los Angeles by five again.
Dunk Bryant gave the Lakers a 114-107 lead with 2:23 left and they edged out Portland for the win.
Portland was struggling, with wins in only two of its last nine games. The Blazers were losing 105-95 to the 76ers on Thursday.
The Lakers have similarly struggled this season with injuries, particularly that of Anthony Davis, who is currently suffering from a foot injury that has kept him from playing in 19 games.
James was doubtful going into the match with a sore ankle but he played. James is close to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA record of 38,387 points. James is 233 points away from tying the record after Sunday’s game.
Despite the rivalry, the mood was sometimes somber at the Moda Center after the death of longtime broadcaster Bill Schoneley on Saturday who coined the expression “Rip City!” Shunli was 93 years old.
Schonley called Blazers games for nearly 30 years, starting the team’s first season in 1970 and including the team’s championship in 1977. After his broadcasting career, he was an ambassador for the team until his retirement last year.
The Lakers jumped out to an early 18-4 lead, but Portland managed to close to a 26-24 lead on Nasir Little’s 3-pointer before the end of the first quarter.
Simons’ 3-pointer gave the Blazers a 39-38 lead. Shortly thereafter, Patrick Beverley exchanged words with Simmons as Lillard prepared to attempt a free throw. Beverly Technique was delivered.
Lillard hit a shot nearly half the field to push the lead to 68-46, and the Blazers led 71-46 at halftime. Portland outscored Los Angeles 35-13 in the second quarter alone.
Beverly and James hit back-to-back layups to lead the Lakers to within 81-74 and advance Los Angeles 16-2. A layup drive from James put it closer to 88-82.
This is the third meeting between the Lakers and Blazers this season. They split the first two.
INS hint
Lakers: Davis had a full-blown brawl with the team’s “stay tuned” squad on Saturday. Davis has missed 19 games with a right foot injury and is easing his way back. Coach Darvin Hamm said Davies “looked phenomenal”. … James was doubtful going into the game with a sore ankle but he played. … The Lakers’ 13 points in the second quarter were a season low.
Trail Blazers: Play second Gary Payton, who missed the last game with a calf injury. … it was the second out of six matches. … The Blazers were also in mourning last week over the death of photographer John Curry, who was with the team for 39 years.
next one
Lakers: Los Angeles hosted the Clippers on Tuesday.
Trail Blazers: Host the Spurs on Monday night.