After getting killed at home in a 125-110 loss to the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers went on a quick trip north to take on the struggling, short-handed Portland Trail Blazers on Friday evening.
As opposed to what has transferred far too often this season, the Lakers started quickly, leading 18-8 and 28-15 in the first quarter. Portland made a couple of mini-runs to come to within one or two points, but L.A. had too much talent and firepower. It powered its way to a 107-95 win to improve to 7-6 on the season and 3-0 in group play in the in-season tournament.
This wasn’t a clean game by any means. The Lakers turned the ball over 18 times, but they forced quite a few turnovers themselves. Their active hands and legs allowed them to score 26 fast-break points, and they could’ve easily had more had they not allowed Portland to turn 19 offensive rebounds into 22 second-chance points.
But a win is a win, and with the way they have been struggling to start the season, they will take any wins they can get.