The Portland Trail Blazers got upstaged by the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night on the road, 107-98. The Blazers played a good first quarter, but then the offense cratered as the Lakers seized control behind solid performances from Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura.
Following the loss, Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups discussed the team’s difficulties in a “disappointing” second quarter and how the Lakers “opened the game up” during that stretch. Billups highlighted the importance of the 3-point shot in today’s game, saying it’s hard to win when their top shooters — Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe — can’t get it going from downtown.