For the second consecutive game, Luke Walton watched the Los Angeles Lakers lead by double digits but barely escape with a win. After surviving against the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers hung on to escape with a 114-110 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Unlike the one-point win over the Dallas Mavericks, there was public pressure Saturday night with reports of Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson admonishing Walton for the team’s lack of an offensive system through seven games.
While the Lakers have lost all five games by nine points or less, there can be frustration with their inability to close out games.