Deandre Ayton led the Los Angeles Lakers with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in a 123-115 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday at Moda Center.
Rui Hachimura added 28 points, while Nick Smith Jr. scored 25, hitting two late 3-pointers to help seal the victory for Los Angeles.
The Lakers played without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both resting after Monday’s 130-120 win over Miami. Ayton started despite back spasms, and Los Angeles was limited to nine available players.
Portland jumped to a 39-29 lead in the first half after a dunk by Jerami Grant, maintaining a three-point edge at halftime, 55-52.
Hachimura’s layup tied the game at 66-all, and Marcus Smart’s basket completed a 10-1 Lakers run midway through the third quarter to take the lead.
The fourth quarter saw Portland briefly edge ahead 97-96 on Jrue Holiday’s layup, but Ayton’s basket pushed the Lakers ahead 107-100, keeping the Blazers at bay down the stretch.
The Trail Blazers struggled from long range, making only nine of 40 three-point attempts. Deni Avdija led Portland with 33 points, but the Blazers’ three-game winning streak ended.
Los Angeles improved to 6-2 with their fourth consecutive victory. The Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, while Portland, now 4-3, faces the Oklahoma City Thunder at home.
