NEW DELHI: The
Los Angeles Lakers
surged to a 134-110 triumph over the
Portland Trail Blazers
on Sunday night, reclaiming a .500 record for the season.
D'Angelo Russell
spearheaded the Lakers' offensive onslaught with a stellar performance, amassing 34 points, while
LeBron James
contributed 28 points to the dominating win.
The Lakers, with a record now standing at 22-22, showcased resilience and determination in bouncing back from an 18-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets just two nights prior.
Austin Reaves chipped in with 15 points, and
Anthony Davis
recorded a double-double with 14 points and an impressive 14 rebounds.
Russell and James showcased their offensive prowess by combining for the Lakers' first 19 points in the fourth quarter, solidifying their control over the game. Russell's individual brilliance was epitomized by a highlight-reel play, executing a fake behind-the-back pass to James on a fast break before finishing with a lay-in.
LeBron James, impressed by the teamwork and defensive effort, commented on the Lakers' success in fastbreak situations. "The only way to get fastbreak points is to defend, defend without fouling, and we did that," James remarked after the game. His contributions included dunks, a 3-pointer, and four successful free throws, playing a pivotal role in building a commanding 23-point lead alongside Russell.
With the game securely in hand, James, Davis, and the other starters took a back seat in the final six minutes, allowing the bench players to close out the impressive victory.
For Russell, who returned to the starting lineup five games ago with a renewed determination to complement James and Davis, this performance underscored his assertive approach.
Lakers
coach Darvin Ham praised Russell's focus and aggressiveness, describing it as one of the most complete games he's seen the guard play since donning the Lakers uniform.
On the other side, Malcolm Brogdon led the Trail Blazers with 23 points and nine assists, while Anfernee Simons added 19 points. Jerami Grant contributed 17 points, but it wasn't enough to stave off the Lakers' offensive onslaught. The Lakers will look to carry the momentum from this convincing win into their future matchups, aiming to continue their climb in the Western Conference standings.
(Inputs from agencies)
English (US) ·