BLAZERS GRADED: Portland 98, Los Angeles 94
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
Yet the Lakers, who rested Bryant Monday, kept it close.
And while Portland fans were denied one of their favorite pasttimes--beating up on Bryant in Portland--they should take some consolation in that every time L.A. plays well without him it further fans the flames that his poor, voluminous shot selection is making the Lakers worse.
The night, though, belonged to Damian Lillard, who poured in 39 points, including the go-ahead layup in the final minute. As he has done a handful of times already this season, Lillard makes the remarkable almost routine, and downright saved the Blazers.
That Portland emerged by only the skin of their teeth against the second-worst team in the Western Conference is slightly less gualling as they were playing for the first time this season without centers Robin Lopez and Joel Freeland.
Chris Kaman got the start and was somewhat effective--moreso on offense than defense. But it was Meyers Leonard of all people who plugged the biggest holes in the Portland's now paper-thin front line, playing one of his best--if not his best--game as a Blazer.
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LAMARCUS ALDRDIGE: B-
A rather undistinguished performance from Aldridge, who finished with 21 points and eight boards against the ramshackle Lakers front line. He did, however, grab a crucial rebound down the stretch.
NICOLAS BATUM: D
Another stinker from Batum, who finished with just eight points, three assists and three rebounds, and still can't make his outside shots with any consistency--even if he's been firing with more apparent confidence.
CHRIS KAMAN: B-
In getting his first start of the season, Kaman showed why he's probably better suited to the second unit--despite having three blocks, the Lakers' Jordan Hill had a monster game.
DAMIAN LILLARD: A
It was another one of the games where Lillard got little help from his teammates yet willed the Blazers to victory. Make no mistake: this one mattered. As the playoff race in the Western Conference tightens, one or two wins could very well be the difference between home court. As such, the Blazers have to beat the teams their supposed to. He finished with 39 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
WESLEY MATTHEWS: Incomplete
It's a bit tough to grade this one, as Matthews landed on a Laker's foot and crumpled to the ground early in pain. He stayed in, then went to the locker room, then returned. The incident may very well have effected his play--certainly his shot was off. He finished with five points, a rebound and assist, while making just 1-of-9 attempts from the field. If nothing else, Matthews proved--once again--he's a tough, steely dude.
MEYERS LEONARD: A
A tantalizing glimpse at what the project known as Meyers Leonard could be. He stroked from distance, making 3-of-4 from behind the arc, and brought his big, athletic frame down low and muscled for 12 rebounds. Now, can he keep it up?
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