Lakers and Trail Blazers basketball

On Sunday, November 12, 2023, in Los Angeles, Portland Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle, right, removes the ball from the clutches of Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the first half of an NBA basketball game. (Photo by AP/Mark J. Terrill)The affiliated press

The Los Angeles Times reports: Rui Hachimura scored eight of his 19 points in the final 3:43 minutes, and Anthony Davis contributed 30 points and 13 rebounds. Despite LeBron James’ ιnjury absence, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 116-110 on Sunday.

James was ruled out of his first game of the season due to a left calf contusion. On Friday night in Phoenix, the leading scorer in NBA history sustained a leg ιnjury during the first quarter following a collision with Kevin Durant.

Despite James’s return, the Lakers decided to rest the 38-year-old icon on Sunday in preparation for a lengthy stretch that will begin Tuesday night with back-to-back contests.

James’ supporting cast was unable to separate the Lakers from Portland, but Davis led the way for the Lakers in the fourth quarter with nine points as the team survived its first game back from a 1-3 road trip.

“It’s Anthony Davis,” 18-point scorer Austin Reaves exclaimed. “Achieving a lead over LeBron James or any other player is detrimental, but having Anthony Davis on the court at any moment gives you a chance. “He alters the course of the game.”

Los Angeles’ Cam Reddish tallied 16 of his 18 points in the first half, while D’Angelo Russell tallied 11 points and 11 assists.

Reddish stated, “We simply need to perform with energy and to the best of our abilities from the beginning.” “The victory is undeniably positive; however, I believe we could have performed better by maintaining a steady effort for the entire forty-eight minutes. “However, it was a satisfying victory.”

Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant each contributed 19 points for Portland, which has suffered its third consecutive loss following a three-game winning streak. The Blazers attempted a mere one free throw in the final three quarters, for a total of nine attempts, whereas the Lakers attempted 37.

“Clearly, AD is among the top players in our lineup,” said Portland head coach Chauncey Billups. “Guys like that will occasionally get moving… Their defenders’ penetratiоn caused us significant damage on numerous occasions, as they managed to deliver it to AD in the pocket. However, he performed admirably and was the greatest athlete on the floor.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Lakers held a 13-point advantage over Portland, which then responded with 12 consecutive points. With three minutes remaining, the Blazers trailed 104-103. However, Los Angeles closed the gap with an 8-2 run before Hachimura and Reaves made game-winning free throws in the dying seconds.

“The majority of NBA games are two- or three-possession affairs, so it’s always a matter of executing down the stretch,” said Skylar Mays, who led Portland with 15 points and 12 assists. “Although they had us there, we put up quite a figҺt.” Simply put, we must discover how to complete games. The hour is early. “We still have quite some time to make amends.”

Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent were also absent for Los Angeles, whereas Malcolm Brogdon, newcomer Scott Henderson, and Anfernee Simons are all absent for the Blazers.

In his NBA debut, Duop Reath, a 27-year-old rookie center for the Blazers, tallied 11 points. The Australian native of Sudan made his first basket early in the second quarter with a 3-pointer; for the game, he concluded with three 3s.

Reath stated, “It has always been a dream of mine to step onto the court.” “It’s been incredible, through the ups and downs it has been.”

Jamaree Bouyea recorded six points in his debut with the Blazers following his earlier-day signing of a two-way contract. The University of San Francisco second-year guard made fleeting appearances for Miami and Washingtоn during the previous campaign.

Matisse Thybulle finished the first half with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. However, he was substituted midway through the third quarter and did not return for the Portland Blazers, who made no official announcement regarding his ιnjury.