By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Halfway through another mostly miserable season, the young Los Angeles Lakers have put together their longest winning streak of the year.
Coach Luke Walton is eager to see whether they can maintain the momentum that's making their future look slightly less bleak.
Brandon Ingram scored 26 points, Lonzo Ball added 18 and the Lakers held off the short-handed San Antonio Spurs 93-81 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.
Larry Nance Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers (14-27), who blew an early 19-point lead before running away in the fourth quarter with a poise they've shown only fleetingly this season. Los Angeles had lost nine straight before its current surge.
"We responded like a team that's failed a lot, and kind of got sick of it," Walton said. "We're seen that point many times this year where we're playing well, we have a lead, the other team goes on a run and then we stall out in the second half. I thought our players did a great job of coming together."
Ingram had an aggressive offensive game, and Ball contributed 10 rebounds, six assists and four 3-pointers as Los Angeles also snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Spurs at Staples Center since April 2013.
The Lakers (14-27) appear to be midway through their fifth consecutive non-playoff season, but their entertaining style occasionally produces great moments, such as the dunk thrown down by Nance on a less-than-ideal pass from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
"We're focused on defense, effort and energy, really," Nance said of the winning streak. "I don't know what it was, but it was about time we got out of that rut."
LaMarcus Aldridge scored 15 of his 20 points in the first half for the Spurs, who committed 21 turnovers while playing without injured starters Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Danny Green.
Bryn Forbes scored 18 points and Dejounte Murray added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
"That was a pathetic performance by our team, and a lot of the reason for it was the way the Lakers played," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "They were very physical, much more physical than we were. Their desire was at a totally different level than ours was. ... Just effort and will. I thought in that sense, we were pathetic."
TIP-INS
Spurs: Pau Gasol had nine points and 12 rebounds in the 37-year-old Spaniard's latest return to the city where he won two championships alongside Kobe Bryant, whose two retired jersey numbers now hang in the Staples Center rafters.
Lakers: They made an early 25-3 run on the way to a 37-18 lead. Ball hit three 3-pointers and didn't miss a shot in the first half. ... Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played a solid defensive game and contributed down the stretch with 10 points and four rebounds.
AILING SPURS
Leonard missed his third straight game with a left shoulder strain, and Parker sat after spraining his right ankle in Sacramento on Monday. Green missed his fifth consecutive game with a groin strain.
Veteran Rudy Gay also sat out his seventh straight game with right heel bursitis, leaving the Spurs short-handed in the last stop on a three-game trip down the West Coast.
PEANUT GALLERY
Before the game, Popovich didn't mince words when asked about the recent criticism of Walton from Lithuanian basketball power broker LaVar Ball: "I think the first thing to look at is the substance and gravitas of the source that speaks, and just stopping at that point would tell you that you don't need to listen or go any further. It's just another fan in the peanut gallery with an opinion, which is meaningless."
TRADE ME NOT
Popovich also revealed that Aldridge requested a trade last summer after a rough season. The coach talked the star big man out of his feelings after a few dinners and meetings. "I was very candid with him," Popovich said. "I told him, `I'd be happy to trade you. You get me a talent like Kevin Durant, and I'll drive you to the airport. I'll pack your bags. And I will drive you there, get you on the plane and get you seated.' He laughed, (and) I said, `But short of that, I'm your best buddy, because you're here for another year, and you ain't going nowhere. Because we're not going to get for you talent-wise what we would want, so let's figure this thing out.' And we did."
UP NEXT
Spurs: Return home to face the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
Lakers: Open a three-game road trip at the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
Showing posts with label Los Angeles Lakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles Lakers. Show all posts
Friday, January 12, 2018
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Double-doubles by Randle, Ball push Lakers past Kings 99-86
By DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The return of Lonzo Ball has the Los Angeles Lakers running again, and that emphasis on tempo is turning into wins.
Julius Randle had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Ball added 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 99-86 on Tuesday night.
Brook Lopez scored 18 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 16 for the Lakers, who have won two straight following a nine-game losing streak.
"That's kind of our best basketball at this point right now, getting out in transition," said Brandon Ingram, who had 15 points and five rebounds.
With Ball leading the charge, the Lakers were at their most effective when pushing the ball up the court, and they picked up where they left off after tying a franchise record with 42 fast-break points against Atlanta on Sunday. They had a 35-8 edge on the break this time, and Ball's 11 assists were his most since the rookie sustained a shoulder injury that sidelined him for six games. He finished with five points.
"He creates our pace for us," Lakers coach Luke Walton said. "He makes winning plays for us. He gets other people easy shots, so he impacted the game on both ends of the floor and was a big part of why we won tonight."
Walton was not sated by the win, however. He was unhappy with the Lakers' 26 turnovers and a lackadaisical attitude after going on a 19-0 run in the first quarter. Fueled by eight points from Ingram and seven from Randle, who had 13 points and five rebounds in the first half, Los Angeles took an 18-point lead, its largest of the night.
But the second unit let Sacramento right back into the game, and the Lakers were only up 31-27 at the end of the quarter.
"We're trying to play a certain way and have a certain standard," Walton said. "We've been struggling. We will take a win when we can get it, but it just doesn't feel the same way as when you play the game the right way throughout."
Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 19 points off the bench for the Kings, who have lost five of six. De'Aaron Fox had 15 points and Buddy Hield scored 13.
Kings coach Dave Joerger thought fatigue did his team in following a 107-100 loss to San Antonio on Monday. Sacramento shot a season-worst 34.5 percent from the field (30 of 87).
"It's just that time of year where you have to keep grinding away," Joerger said. "We made too many mental mistakes, made some really bad turnovers that are just head-scratchers. The guys are getting better, and we'll just keep plugging away."
LONG-RANGE LOPEZ
Los Angeles opened an 84-74 lead going into the fourth quarter, closing the third on a 22-10 run. Sacramento started the second half with a 14-3 surge to take an eight-point lead before Lopez hit three 3-pointers. Lopez then missed from long range on what he admitted was a heat-check shot, but Ball was under the basket for a putback.
Lopez finished 5 of 8 from 3-point range.
"They made the last run and just kind of sustained it," Fox said.
REARRANGING FOR RANDLE
Randle spent most of the season using his superior athleticism to get the better of backup centers and power forwards as a scorer. Walton wants him to be just as willing to pass when driving down the lane now that Randle is becoming a more regular presence in the starting lineup.
The growing pains were evident, with six assists and six turnovers against the length of Zach Randolph and Willie Cauley-Stein.
"Tonight he had moments where he was great at it and there were moments where he over-penetrated and we got in trouble," Walton said.
TIP-INS
Kings: G George Hill missed his third straight game to be with his wife, who is pregnant.
Lakers: Ball had his ninth career double-double. ... Randle had his eighth double-double of the season.
UP NEXT
Kings: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.
Lakers: Host the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The return of Lonzo Ball has the Los Angeles Lakers running again, and that emphasis on tempo is turning into wins.
Julius Randle had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Ball added 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 99-86 on Tuesday night.
Brook Lopez scored 18 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 16 for the Lakers, who have won two straight following a nine-game losing streak.
"That's kind of our best basketball at this point right now, getting out in transition," said Brandon Ingram, who had 15 points and five rebounds.
With Ball leading the charge, the Lakers were at their most effective when pushing the ball up the court, and they picked up where they left off after tying a franchise record with 42 fast-break points against Atlanta on Sunday. They had a 35-8 edge on the break this time, and Ball's 11 assists were his most since the rookie sustained a shoulder injury that sidelined him for six games. He finished with five points.
"He creates our pace for us," Lakers coach Luke Walton said. "He makes winning plays for us. He gets other people easy shots, so he impacted the game on both ends of the floor and was a big part of why we won tonight."
Walton was not sated by the win, however. He was unhappy with the Lakers' 26 turnovers and a lackadaisical attitude after going on a 19-0 run in the first quarter. Fueled by eight points from Ingram and seven from Randle, who had 13 points and five rebounds in the first half, Los Angeles took an 18-point lead, its largest of the night.
But the second unit let Sacramento right back into the game, and the Lakers were only up 31-27 at the end of the quarter.
"We're trying to play a certain way and have a certain standard," Walton said. "We've been struggling. We will take a win when we can get it, but it just doesn't feel the same way as when you play the game the right way throughout."
Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 19 points off the bench for the Kings, who have lost five of six. De'Aaron Fox had 15 points and Buddy Hield scored 13.
Kings coach Dave Joerger thought fatigue did his team in following a 107-100 loss to San Antonio on Monday. Sacramento shot a season-worst 34.5 percent from the field (30 of 87).
"It's just that time of year where you have to keep grinding away," Joerger said. "We made too many mental mistakes, made some really bad turnovers that are just head-scratchers. The guys are getting better, and we'll just keep plugging away."
LONG-RANGE LOPEZ
Los Angeles opened an 84-74 lead going into the fourth quarter, closing the third on a 22-10 run. Sacramento started the second half with a 14-3 surge to take an eight-point lead before Lopez hit three 3-pointers. Lopez then missed from long range on what he admitted was a heat-check shot, but Ball was under the basket for a putback.
Lopez finished 5 of 8 from 3-point range.
"They made the last run and just kind of sustained it," Fox said.
REARRANGING FOR RANDLE
Randle spent most of the season using his superior athleticism to get the better of backup centers and power forwards as a scorer. Walton wants him to be just as willing to pass when driving down the lane now that Randle is becoming a more regular presence in the starting lineup.
The growing pains were evident, with six assists and six turnovers against the length of Zach Randolph and Willie Cauley-Stein.
"Tonight he had moments where he was great at it and there were moments where he over-penetrated and we got in trouble," Walton said.
TIP-INS
Kings: G George Hill missed his third straight game to be with his wife, who is pregnant.
Lakers: Ball had his ninth career double-double. ... Randle had his eighth double-double of the season.
UP NEXT
Kings: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.
Lakers: Host the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Timberwolves beat Lakers 121-104 for first Christmas win
By DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves got their first-ever Christmas victory, and with the way things are coming together, it could be the first of many showcase wins.
Jimmy Butler scored 23 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 10 rebounds and the Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 121-104 on Monday night.
"I'm happy to be part of history for the franchise, but this won't be the first and the only one that we ever win," Towns said. "We'll have a lot more opportunities I'm banking on to do this again and again and again."
Former Southern California standout Taj Gibson had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have won four straight. Jamal Crawford added 19 points off the bench.
Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma scored 31 points, joining LeBron James in 2003 as the only first-year players to score at least 30 points on Christmas Day in the last 30 seasons.
Jordan Clarkson had 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and Julius Randle had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers, who have lost three in a row and six of seven.
Minnesota pulled away when Towns and Crawford combined to score all 16 points during a 16-1 run after Randle put Los Angeles up 84-83 with 11:14 to play.
The Lakers cut the deficit to 105-99 with 4:30 remaining, but Gibson knocked down a hook shot and 3-pointer on consecutive possessions to restore a double-digit lead.
"He just has a knack of coming up with big plays when you need it the most," Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau said. "What he has brought to the team and what Jimmy has brought to the team has really changed everything for us."
While the Timberwolves have been able to jumpstart their development with the addition of Butler, Gibson and Crawford, the Lakers showed their potential, even without Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. Ball sprained his left shoulder against Portland on Saturday, and Ingram missed his second straight game with quad injuries.
Kuzma scored 10 of the Lakers' first 14 points, and kept a short-handed bunch in the mix. The Timberwolves led by 10 with 7:42 left in the second quarter, but the Lakers closed the half on a 22-13 run. Kuzma hit a 3 with 1:07 left to give Los Angeles its first lead before Butler hit a spinning layup to put Minnesota in front 53-52 at the break.
"I like what he's about, how he likes to compete," Lakers coach Luke Walton said of Kuzma, who is averaging 30 points during his last five games. "For us and the way we want to play, we want it to come organically to him, so we're not just running plays for him every time."
TIP-INS
Timberwolves: Towns had 18 points in the second half. ... F Nemanja Bjelica had one point and two rebounds in six minutes after missing 15 games with a sprained left foot.
Lakers: Los Angeles missed out on a chance to break a tie with the New York Knicks for most wins on Christmas Day, dropping to 22-22. The Lakers played on Christmas Day for the 19th consecutive season.
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE?
Even without Ingram and Ball, the Lakers' youth invited comparisons to where the Timberwolves were last season. Thibodeau understands why the parallels are being made and expects Los Angeles to be even more of a pest as the season goes on.
"I've watched their Warrior games, they're all hard-fought games," Thibodeau said. "I think the future is bright, and when you have young guys it takes a little bit of time. A big part of learning is the trial and error of going through games."
SPEED IT UP
Despite barbs from analyst Charles Barkley and the TNT crew about their methodical tempo on offense, the Timberwolves scored 38 points in the fourth quarter.
"We pushed the pace. They were really pushing their pace on us early on and we weren't playing with the energy that we needed," Towns said.
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: Host Memphis on Wednesday night.
Lakers: Host Denver on Wednesday night.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Lillard’s 3 gives Trail Blazers 113-110 win over Lakers
By ANNE M. PETERSON
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard didn’t really need to gesture to his wrist. The crowd already knew it was Lillard Time.
The star guard made a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left and the Portland Trail Blazers extended their winning streak over the Los Angeles Lakers to 13 games with a 113-110 victory Thursday night.
Lillard finished with 32 points, and Portland snapped a two-game skid. Jusuf Nurkic added 28 points.
Lillard was 1 of 5 from 3-point range before the game-winner. The crowd roared when the shot fell, and Lillard nodded and pointed to his wrist.
“I felt good. The ball was coming off my hands good all night, even the ones that I didn’t make. In those moments, you don’t think about what happened before. It’s a chance to rise to the occasion. You’re 0 for 0 in that moment,” Lillard said. “I go back to my very first game-winner against New Orleans my rookie year. I had a terrible shooting game but I was able to block that out. All that mattered was that moment. No different tonight.”
Brook Lopez had 27 points and rookie Kyle Kuzma added a season-high 22 for the Lakers, who were short-handed after Larry Nance Jr. broke his left hand in the second half. Fellow rookie Lonzo Ball was 0 for 2 from the field with no points, four assists and three rebounds.
There were a few fans in the crowd wearing Ball’s No. 2 jersey for his first appearance in Portland. But most fans booed him heartily during player introductions.
Nance was hurt late in the third quarter and went to the locker room. He did not play the rest of the way. Nance was averaging 11.1 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Lakers.
Afterward, the Lakers confirmed Nance broke a bone in his hand.
“Obviously, I feel terrible for him. He’s been playing so solid for us,” coach Luke Walton said. “It’s tough but that’s what team sports are about, and someone else has to step up.”
Portland took a 106-105 lead on Lillard’s free throws with 1:56 left. Kuzma made a hook shot on the other end, but Lillard answered with a layup before Nurkic made free throws for a 110-107 lead. The standing crowd chanted “Beat LA! Beat LA!”
But Kentavious Caldwell-Pope quieted the fans with a 3-pointer off an assist from Ball to tie it with 15.5 seconds left. Lillard hit the winner over the outstretched arm of Brandon Ingram.
Kuzma took the final shot, a missed 3-pointer from 28 feet out at the buzzer that would have tied it.
Lillard had missed a 3 the night before at the end of regulation in Portland’s 112-103 overtime loss at Utah.
“He made a good read last night and (Rudy) Gobert made a great play,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “Tonight I think he had his mind made up to take the shot. It’s what great players do.”
The Blazers were without Al-Farouq Aminu, who injured his right ankle Wednesday against the Jazz. The team posted a photo of the 6-foot-9 forward on crutches before Thursday’s game.
Aminu was averaging 9.4 points and 8.1 rebounds this season. Noah Vonleh, who returned the night before following a shoulder injury in camp, started in his place.
Portland led by 18 in the first half but the Lakers closed the gap to 66-62 at halftime. It was tight the rest of the way.
“We have the game against Toronto, then you have a tough one last night against Utah. Maybe if we come back and have a blowout, maybe we don’t have to look at ourselves as much,” Lillard said. “We come in here tonight and we had a dogfight on our hands. We really had to look at ourselves and make it happen. We had to trust ourselves and trust each other to get it done.
“So I think a game like this and having to pull out a game like this does more for our team, character-wise.”
TIP-INS
Lakers: Los Angeles was 0 for 9 from 3-point range in the first half. ... The Lakers were coming off a 113-93 victory at home against the Pistons on Tuesday night.
Trail Blazers: Rookie big man Zach Collins started the second half in place of Vonleh, who had four fouls. Collins, a 7-footer out of Gonzaga, was acquired by the Blazers in a draft-day deal with Sacramento.
ON BALL
“I thought he was a little too passive tonight,” Walton said about his rookie point guard. “The hardest thing for young players is consistency. He’s so unselfish that sometimes we want him to be more aggressive with attacking the defenses.”
Ball, for his part, recognized that.
“I definitely could have been more aggressive,” he said.
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
Trail Blazers: Host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard didn’t really need to gesture to his wrist. The crowd already knew it was Lillard Time.
The star guard made a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left and the Portland Trail Blazers extended their winning streak over the Los Angeles Lakers to 13 games with a 113-110 victory Thursday night.
Lillard finished with 32 points, and Portland snapped a two-game skid. Jusuf Nurkic added 28 points.
Lillard was 1 of 5 from 3-point range before the game-winner. The crowd roared when the shot fell, and Lillard nodded and pointed to his wrist.
“I felt good. The ball was coming off my hands good all night, even the ones that I didn’t make. In those moments, you don’t think about what happened before. It’s a chance to rise to the occasion. You’re 0 for 0 in that moment,” Lillard said. “I go back to my very first game-winner against New Orleans my rookie year. I had a terrible shooting game but I was able to block that out. All that mattered was that moment. No different tonight.”
Brook Lopez had 27 points and rookie Kyle Kuzma added a season-high 22 for the Lakers, who were short-handed after Larry Nance Jr. broke his left hand in the second half. Fellow rookie Lonzo Ball was 0 for 2 from the field with no points, four assists and three rebounds.
There were a few fans in the crowd wearing Ball’s No. 2 jersey for his first appearance in Portland. But most fans booed him heartily during player introductions.
Nance was hurt late in the third quarter and went to the locker room. He did not play the rest of the way. Nance was averaging 11.1 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Lakers.
Afterward, the Lakers confirmed Nance broke a bone in his hand.
“Obviously, I feel terrible for him. He’s been playing so solid for us,” coach Luke Walton said. “It’s tough but that’s what team sports are about, and someone else has to step up.”
Portland took a 106-105 lead on Lillard’s free throws with 1:56 left. Kuzma made a hook shot on the other end, but Lillard answered with a layup before Nurkic made free throws for a 110-107 lead. The standing crowd chanted “Beat LA! Beat LA!”
But Kentavious Caldwell-Pope quieted the fans with a 3-pointer off an assist from Ball to tie it with 15.5 seconds left. Lillard hit the winner over the outstretched arm of Brandon Ingram.
Kuzma took the final shot, a missed 3-pointer from 28 feet out at the buzzer that would have tied it.
Lillard had missed a 3 the night before at the end of regulation in Portland’s 112-103 overtime loss at Utah.
“He made a good read last night and (Rudy) Gobert made a great play,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “Tonight I think he had his mind made up to take the shot. It’s what great players do.”
The Blazers were without Al-Farouq Aminu, who injured his right ankle Wednesday against the Jazz. The team posted a photo of the 6-foot-9 forward on crutches before Thursday’s game.
Aminu was averaging 9.4 points and 8.1 rebounds this season. Noah Vonleh, who returned the night before following a shoulder injury in camp, started in his place.
Portland led by 18 in the first half but the Lakers closed the gap to 66-62 at halftime. It was tight the rest of the way.
“We have the game against Toronto, then you have a tough one last night against Utah. Maybe if we come back and have a blowout, maybe we don’t have to look at ourselves as much,” Lillard said. “We come in here tonight and we had a dogfight on our hands. We really had to look at ourselves and make it happen. We had to trust ourselves and trust each other to get it done.
“So I think a game like this and having to pull out a game like this does more for our team, character-wise.”
TIP-INS
Lakers: Los Angeles was 0 for 9 from 3-point range in the first half. ... The Lakers were coming off a 113-93 victory at home against the Pistons on Tuesday night.
Trail Blazers: Rookie big man Zach Collins started the second half in place of Vonleh, who had four fouls. Collins, a 7-footer out of Gonzaga, was acquired by the Blazers in a draft-day deal with Sacramento.
ON BALL
“I thought he was a little too passive tonight,” Walton said about his rookie point guard. “The hardest thing for young players is consistency. He’s so unselfish that sometimes we want him to be more aggressive with attacking the defenses.”
Ball, for his part, recognized that.
“I definitely could have been more aggressive,” he said.
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
Trail Blazers: Host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Caldwell-Pope hits 3, Lakers beat Wizards 102-99 in OT
By DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — There will be times when defense is a problem for the young Los Angeles Lakers. Not on this night as they earned their first home win of the season.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit a 3-pointer with 58 seconds remaining and the Lakers handed the Washington Wizards their first loss, 102-99 in overtime Wednesday.
Wizards guard John Wall was stuffed by Julius Randle driving to the basket with less than 15 seconds left. After officials initially ruled the ball hit Randle last, a video review gave the Lakers possession, and they broke through pressure to set up a dunk by Randle.
Wall missed an off-balance 3 while being defended by Lonzo Ball as time expired.
The Lakers forced the Wizards to miss their first seven shots and then their final three.
“You have a chance to win if you can play defense,” coach Luke Walton said. “That’s kind of the message that we have been trying to deliver, so it was good to have them actually experience that for themselves in a game.”
Brandon Ingram scored 19 points for the Lakers, who dropped their first two home games. Ball had six points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in an anticipated matchup against Wall. Larry Nance Jr. added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Caldwell-Pope scored 14.
Bradley Beal had 28 points for the Wizards, who were looking to match their best start since the 1978-79 season by winning four in a row.
Wall finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Washington shot 41.1 percent from the field (39 of 95) and 6 of 26 on 3-pointers.
Beal made one of two free throws with 12.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, giving the Lakers a chance to send it to overtime when Ingram tipped in his own miss with 0.7 seconds left. Beal missed a corner 3-pointer as time expired in regulation.
The Wizards scored six straight points after Ingram tied it at 85 with 3:26 remaining, but the Lakers responded with Ingram’s jumper and a 3-pointer by Randle.
“Fourth quarter, we did too much standing around,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. “We had more dribbles than passes and it wasn’t good basketball. Give them credit. They outplayed us down the stretch and they deserved the win tonight.”
TIP-INS
Wizards: Wall and Beal combined to attempt 10 free throws after going to the stripe at least 18 times in each of their first three games. . Jason Smith had two points and two rebounds in his first action since missing two games with a sprained right shoulder.
Lakers: Nance had six points and six rebounds in the first six minutes. ... The Lakers had lost five straight home games against the Wizards.
FEISTY FINISH
The showdown between Wall and Ball largely fizzled, especially in the first half after the rookie picked up two fouls in the first quarter.
But there was some aggression between Ingram and Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. Walton thought it sparked the strong finish for Igram, who had 15 points in the second half.
“Early he seemed to be a little flustered,” Walton said. “I thought when they kind of started jawing a little bit it, for whatever reason, got Brandon to another level, and he turned a mediocre game into one where he was grabbing defensive rebounds, calling plays out in a half-court set. Not always the right play, but, hey, steps.”
STAR POWER
Even with the Dodgers playing Game 2 of the World Series at the same time, Rams running back Todd Gurley and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. were at Staples Center.
Lakers president of basketball operations and Dodgers co-owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson left Dodger Stadium early for a halftime on-court interview with ESPN.
UP NEXT
Wizards: Visit the Golden State Warriors on Friday night as they continue a four-game road trip.
Lakers: Host the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — There will be times when defense is a problem for the young Los Angeles Lakers. Not on this night as they earned their first home win of the season.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit a 3-pointer with 58 seconds remaining and the Lakers handed the Washington Wizards their first loss, 102-99 in overtime Wednesday.
Wizards guard John Wall was stuffed by Julius Randle driving to the basket with less than 15 seconds left. After officials initially ruled the ball hit Randle last, a video review gave the Lakers possession, and they broke through pressure to set up a dunk by Randle.
Wall missed an off-balance 3 while being defended by Lonzo Ball as time expired.
The Lakers forced the Wizards to miss their first seven shots and then their final three.
“You have a chance to win if you can play defense,” coach Luke Walton said. “That’s kind of the message that we have been trying to deliver, so it was good to have them actually experience that for themselves in a game.”
Brandon Ingram scored 19 points for the Lakers, who dropped their first two home games. Ball had six points, eight rebounds and 10 assists in an anticipated matchup against Wall. Larry Nance Jr. added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Caldwell-Pope scored 14.
Bradley Beal had 28 points for the Wizards, who were looking to match their best start since the 1978-79 season by winning four in a row.
Wall finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Washington shot 41.1 percent from the field (39 of 95) and 6 of 26 on 3-pointers.
Beal made one of two free throws with 12.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, giving the Lakers a chance to send it to overtime when Ingram tipped in his own miss with 0.7 seconds left. Beal missed a corner 3-pointer as time expired in regulation.
The Wizards scored six straight points after Ingram tied it at 85 with 3:26 remaining, but the Lakers responded with Ingram’s jumper and a 3-pointer by Randle.
“Fourth quarter, we did too much standing around,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. “We had more dribbles than passes and it wasn’t good basketball. Give them credit. They outplayed us down the stretch and they deserved the win tonight.”
TIP-INS
Wizards: Wall and Beal combined to attempt 10 free throws after going to the stripe at least 18 times in each of their first three games. . Jason Smith had two points and two rebounds in his first action since missing two games with a sprained right shoulder.
Lakers: Nance had six points and six rebounds in the first six minutes. ... The Lakers had lost five straight home games against the Wizards.
FEISTY FINISH
The showdown between Wall and Ball largely fizzled, especially in the first half after the rookie picked up two fouls in the first quarter.
But there was some aggression between Ingram and Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. Walton thought it sparked the strong finish for Igram, who had 15 points in the second half.
“Early he seemed to be a little flustered,” Walton said. “I thought when they kind of started jawing a little bit it, for whatever reason, got Brandon to another level, and he turned a mediocre game into one where he was grabbing defensive rebounds, calling plays out in a half-court set. Not always the right play, but, hey, steps.”
STAR POWER
Even with the Dodgers playing Game 2 of the World Series at the same time, Rams running back Todd Gurley and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. were at Staples Center.
Lakers president of basketball operations and Dodgers co-owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson left Dodger Stadium early for a halftime on-court interview with ESPN.
UP NEXT
Wizards: Visit the Golden State Warriors on Friday night as they continue a four-game road trip.
Lakers: Host the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Pelicans hold off late Lakers rally for first win, 119-112
By STEVE DILBECK
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The New Orleans Pelicans were watching another double-digit lead evaporate, with the Los Angeles Lakers using a furious 27-4 run to take a five-point lead.
This time, the Pelicans were ready for the challenge.
They answered with an 11-0 run of their own to beat the Lakers 119-112 on Sunday night for their first victory of the season.
"We have to stop letting off the gas when we have big leads," said New Orleans center DeMarcus Cousins.
"This is something we've done the previous two games and we're trying to stop it on the fly."
The Pelicans (1-2) were able to ward off the challenge from the Lakers (1-2) behind 27 points and 17 rebounds from Anthony Davis, and 22 points and 11 rebounds from Cousins.
"We started off the game playing well," said Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, who earned his 400th career victory. "Then in the third quarter, our transition defense just wasn't good."
The Lakers' late rally was led by reserves. Jordan Clarkson topped Los Angeles with 24 points, while Kyle Kuzma added 20 points to match guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Lakers prized rookie Lonzo Ball struggled with his shot (3 of 13) and finished with just eight points, but did contribute 13 assists and eight rebounds.
"I like Lonzo's aggressiveness, he just didn't make shots," said Lakers coach Luke Walton.
The Lakers missed their first eight shots of the game, falling behind by double digits early. New Orleans went up by as many as 22 in the second quarter and was still ahead 94-74 when the Lakers went on their run.
Clarkson and Kuzma scored the last nine points of the third, and then with reserves Julius Randle and Josh Hart aiding the comeback, outscored the Pelicans 18-4 to open the final period.
"We let them back in the game, and that's on us, but we kept fighting," Davis said.
New Orleans trailed 110-106 with 4:46 to play when it answered with its 11-0 run. E'Twaun Moore (19 points) and Cousins sparked the comeback, with Jameer Nelson - just signed Sunday - hitting a key 3-pointer.
"I think he already earned his contract," Gentry said. "He made the biggest shot of the night."
TIP-INS
Pelicans: Signed Nelson, 35, and waived Jordan Crawford. Gentry said the team was uncertain if Nelson would be worked into the starting lineup alongside Holiday, or back him up at the point. "We've looked at it and can see both situations being real positive for our team. It's just a matter of us getting together again and thinking it out and seeing what we feel will be the best," Gentry said. Nelson was waived by the Nuggets last week.
Lakers: Caldwell-Pope was available after serving a two-game suspension for an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. Said Walton: "He's one of our better shooters. He knows personnel, he's a great defender. He does a lot of things for us and we're excited to have him back." . F Luo Deng, signed prior to last season to a four-year, $72-million deal, was again not activated.
GET BACK
Gentry felt the Pelicans let up their intensity level and let the Lakers back in the game when they led by 20 late. The Lakers had struggled to run, but suddenly found their fast-break game.
Gentry said the answer was easy.
"Yeah, running back," he said. "It's pretty simple.
"We did for most of the game, but there was a stretch there we did not."
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Visit Portland on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Washington on Wednesday.
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The New Orleans Pelicans were watching another double-digit lead evaporate, with the Los Angeles Lakers using a furious 27-4 run to take a five-point lead.
This time, the Pelicans were ready for the challenge.
They answered with an 11-0 run of their own to beat the Lakers 119-112 on Sunday night for their first victory of the season.
"We have to stop letting off the gas when we have big leads," said New Orleans center DeMarcus Cousins.
"This is something we've done the previous two games and we're trying to stop it on the fly."
The Pelicans (1-2) were able to ward off the challenge from the Lakers (1-2) behind 27 points and 17 rebounds from Anthony Davis, and 22 points and 11 rebounds from Cousins.
"We started off the game playing well," said Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, who earned his 400th career victory. "Then in the third quarter, our transition defense just wasn't good."
The Lakers' late rally was led by reserves. Jordan Clarkson topped Los Angeles with 24 points, while Kyle Kuzma added 20 points to match guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Lakers prized rookie Lonzo Ball struggled with his shot (3 of 13) and finished with just eight points, but did contribute 13 assists and eight rebounds.
"I like Lonzo's aggressiveness, he just didn't make shots," said Lakers coach Luke Walton.
The Lakers missed their first eight shots of the game, falling behind by double digits early. New Orleans went up by as many as 22 in the second quarter and was still ahead 94-74 when the Lakers went on their run.
Clarkson and Kuzma scored the last nine points of the third, and then with reserves Julius Randle and Josh Hart aiding the comeback, outscored the Pelicans 18-4 to open the final period.
"We let them back in the game, and that's on us, but we kept fighting," Davis said.
New Orleans trailed 110-106 with 4:46 to play when it answered with its 11-0 run. E'Twaun Moore (19 points) and Cousins sparked the comeback, with Jameer Nelson - just signed Sunday - hitting a key 3-pointer.
"I think he already earned his contract," Gentry said. "He made the biggest shot of the night."
TIP-INS
Pelicans: Signed Nelson, 35, and waived Jordan Crawford. Gentry said the team was uncertain if Nelson would be worked into the starting lineup alongside Holiday, or back him up at the point. "We've looked at it and can see both situations being real positive for our team. It's just a matter of us getting together again and thinking it out and seeing what we feel will be the best," Gentry said. Nelson was waived by the Nuggets last week.
Lakers: Caldwell-Pope was available after serving a two-game suspension for an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. Said Walton: "He's one of our better shooters. He knows personnel, he's a great defender. He does a lot of things for us and we're excited to have him back." . F Luo Deng, signed prior to last season to a four-year, $72-million deal, was again not activated.
GET BACK
Gentry felt the Pelicans let up their intensity level and let the Lakers back in the game when they led by 20 late. The Lakers had struggled to run, but suddenly found their fast-break game.
Gentry said the answer was easy.
"Yeah, running back," he said. "It's pretty simple.
"We did for most of the game, but there was a stretch there we did not."
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Visit Portland on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Washington on Wednesday.
Friday, July 14, 2017
Recap: Lakers ride Ball's triple-double past Cavs
Joel Bartilotta, RotoWire
Lonzo Ball posted a triple-double to lead the No. 15-seed Los Angeles Lakers to a wire-to-wire upset of the second-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 94-83 in the second round of the Las Vegas Summer League playoffs at Thomas and Mack Center on Thursday.
Ball, the second overall pick in this year's draft, totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists for his second triple-double in Las Vegas. He also had five steals, but shot just 6-of-20 from the field, including 2-of-10 from 3-point range.
The Lakers (3-2) took a 10-point lead, 29-19, at the end of the first quarter, but the Cavs (3-1) made it a close game the rest of the way. They tied it for the final time, 66-66, with 2:57 to play in the third quarter, but could never pull ahead.
Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with 20 points, and Vander Blue added 18. Ivica Zubac finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Kay Felder scored a game-high 25 points for the Cavaliers. He also had four steals. Casey Prather and T.J. Williams scored 10 points each, and Sir' Dominic Pointer led the bench with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The Lakers play the seventh-seeded Brooklyn Nets on Saturday in the quarterfinals.
Lonzo Ball posted a triple-double to lead the No. 15-seed Los Angeles Lakers to a wire-to-wire upset of the second-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 94-83 in the second round of the Las Vegas Summer League playoffs at Thomas and Mack Center on Thursday.
Ball, the second overall pick in this year's draft, totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists for his second triple-double in Las Vegas. He also had five steals, but shot just 6-of-20 from the field, including 2-of-10 from 3-point range.
The Lakers (3-2) took a 10-point lead, 29-19, at the end of the first quarter, but the Cavs (3-1) made it a close game the rest of the way. They tied it for the final time, 66-66, with 2:57 to play in the third quarter, but could never pull ahead.
Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with 20 points, and Vander Blue added 18. Ivica Zubac finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Kay Felder scored a game-high 25 points for the Cavaliers. He also had four steals. Casey Prather and T.J. Williams scored 10 points each, and Sir' Dominic Pointer led the bench with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The Lakers play the seventh-seeded Brooklyn Nets on Saturday in the quarterfinals.
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Must be the shoes: Ball flourishes while wearing Nikes
Rookie point guard Lonzo Ball put his best foot forward on Wednesday while wearing Nike Kobe AD sneakers and not those of the Big Baller Brand.
Ball recorded 36 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, five steals and two blocks in the Los Angeles Lakers' 103-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Las Vegas Summer League action.
The second overall pick of the 2017 draft put on a show by making 12 of 22 shots from the field, with Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James in attendance.
As for his choice of the purple footwear, which differs from the line that his father, LaVar, is marketing for a robust $495 a pair ...
"Um, you know, Mamba mentality," the 19-year-old Ball said. "Thought I'd switch it up.
"... Like I said, you can wear whatever you want when you play with Big Baller Brand ... and it is just nice to get out there and do that."
LaVar Ball said his son's decision to wear Nikes was a personal choice and has nothing to do with any negotiations with the world's largest shoe and apparel company.
"Lonzo is not forced to wear any brand and can play in any shoe he wants as long as it's OK with the NBA," LaVar Ball told ESPN by text early Thursday morning. "This is what being independent is all about."
James also noticed the switch, posting a picture on Instagram with the message "Just. Do. It." James is a Nike spokesman and has a lifetime deal with the company.
Furkan Korkmaz scored 19 points for the 76ers, who were playing without Markelle Fultz (ankle), the player drafted before Ball.
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
AP source: Lakers sign Caldwell-Pope for 1 year, $18 million
By GREG BEACHAM and JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a one-year, $18 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.
Caldwell-Pope was among the top talents remaining on the free agent market after spending his first four NBA seasons with the Detroit Pistons. The former eighth overall pick from Georgia averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season while starting 75 games.
After hitting a career-best 35 percent of his 3-pointers last season, the 6-foot-5 Pope could play a major role next year for the Lakers alongside point guard Lonzo Ball, the second overall pick. Los Angeles traded D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn last month, and Nick Young signed with Golden State.
Caldwell-Pope also is a strong two-way player who is expected to improve the Lakers’ defensive competence. Los Angeles became a solid offensive team last season under first-year coach Luke Walton, but only two teams allowed more than the Lakers’ 111.5 points per game.
Detroit renounced its rights to Caldwell-Pope last week after acquiring Avery Bradley in a trade with Boston. Caldwell-Pope has been a starter since his rookie season with the Pistons, but they elected not to award him a lucrative long-term deal to stay.
By agreeing to a one-year deal with the rebuilding Lakers, Caldwell-Pope will be able to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent in 2018 when a longer-term deal could be available from the Lakers or another club.
The person who told the AP about the contract spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the deal hasn’t been announced.
Los Angeles appears to be using all of its available salary cap space on Caldwell-Pope. He will be their second highest-paid player next season behind newly acquired center Brook Lopez, who also will be a free agent next summer.
General manager Rob Pelinka has said the Lakers are firmly committed to preserving enough cap space in 2018 to sign two free agents to max contracts. Luol Deng and Jordan Clarkson are the only veterans on Los Angeles’ roster with a contract beyond the upcoming season.
Caldwell-Pope is suspended for the first two games of next season. He was arrested in March, and he pleaded guilty last month to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
___
Krawczynski reported from Las Vegas.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Lopez officially traded from Nets to Lakers for Russell, Mozgov
Brook Lopez played in three arenas, for nine coaches and with numerous teammates.
He also survived numerous trade rumors.
On Thursday, his nine-year career with the Brooklyn Nets officially ended when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for guard D'Angelo Russell and center Timofey Mozgov.
Russell was the second pick of the Lakers two years ago out of Ohio State. He averaged 13.2 points as a rookie and improved to 15.6 points last season as the Lakers won 26 games.
"We are extremely excited to welcome D'Angelo and Timofey to our Brooklyn Nets family," Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement released by the team. "D'Angelo is a versatile young guard with a bright future and we are enthusiastic about continuing his development along with our young nucleus, while Timofey will provide a veteran presence who can contribute on both ends of the floor. Both are great fits within Kenny's system."
Also going to the Lakers are the rights to forward Kyle Kuzma, who was drafted with the 27th pick.
The Nets drafted Lopez with the 10th overall pick in 2008 when the team still played in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. He played two seasons in Newark before the team moved to Brooklyn in 2012.
"We would also like to thank Brook for all of his contributions to the team over his nine seasons with the Nets," Marks said. "As the franchise's all-time leading scorer and longest-tenured player, he has been an exemplary member of the organization and always represented the Nets with class both on the court and in the community. We wish Brook and his family nothing but success in the future."
Lopez appeared in 562 games with the Nets and averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 32.2 minutes. Last season, he averaged 20.5 points and expanded his game to include 3-point shooting while becoming the longest tenured-player in franchise history.
He was in rumors when the Nets tried to get Dwight Howard from Orlando in 2012 and again in 2015 when the team attempted to get Reggie Jackson from Oklahoma City
"To Brook Lopez, a huge personal thank you for your integrity and commitment to the team over the last nine years," Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said in a statement.
Lopez also surpassed Buck Williams as the franchise scoring leader with 10,444 points, and he is the Nets' career leader in blocked shots with 972.
Mozgov made his NBA debut with the New York Knicks in 2010 and was sent to Denver in February 2011 in the Carmelo Anthony deal. He won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
In 423 games with the Knicks, Denver, Cleveland and the Lakers, Mozgov has averages of seven points and five rebounds. In the first season of four-year, $64 million contract, the 30-year-old averaged 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 54 games.
Kuzma averaged 10.1 points in 96 games during three seasons with Utah. Last season, he led the Utes in scoring (16.4 points) and rebounding (9.3).
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Pacers reportedly talking with Lakers on George deal
The Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers have begun discussing the possibilities of a Paul George trade, according to multiple reports.
George recently relayed to the Pacers that he won't re-sign with the club after the 2017-18 season and added that he hopes to sign with the Lakers as a free agent.
With Thursday's NBA draft approaching, Indiana is investigating whether it can trade the four-time All-Star forward to the Lakers either before the draft or on draft night.
The Pacers are apparently asking for the No. 2 overall pick in the draft that belongs to the Lakers, as well as forward Brandon Ingram, who was the No. 2 overall pick in last season's draft.
The Lakers aren't interested in that scenario as they have the knowledge that George could be had on the free-agent market 13 months from now.
Indiana also has engaged in talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Other teams reported to have interest are the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards.
George, who averaged a career-best 23.7 points last season, has a major preference in joining the Lakers as he grew up in Southern California.
The 27-year-old George is from Palmdale, Calif., a desert town about 60 miles north of Los Angeles.
If George hits free agency, he will be eligible to sign a four-year, $130 million contract.
If George remained with the Pacers, he could receive a five-year, $177 million extension.
George has an 18.1 scoring average in parts of seven NBA seasons. He recovered from a serious compound fracture of his right leg in the summer of 2014 while playing for USA Basketball to regain his star status.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Celtics win draft lottery; Lakers get No. 2 pick
(TSX / STATS) -- Four years ago, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett played their final games for the Celtics. A month later, they were traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a massive deal that involved multiple first-round picks going to Boston.
On Tuesday, the Celtics reaped the ultimate reward of acquiring a first overall pick by winning the NBA draft lottery. Boston will select first for the first time since the lottery began in 1985.
It is the second time the Celtics will pick first. The other time was 1950 when Boston picked Chuck Share, who never played a game for the team.
"I'm glad we didn't trade it, you can write it down," Boston managing partner Wyc Grousbeck said.
The Celtics obtained the pick from the Nets in 2013 and had a 25 percent of getting the top pick. The Nets finished with the league's worst record at 20-62 under first-year general manager Sean Marks, who replaced Billy King in February 2016.
When the Celtics traded Garnett and Pierce after the duo played six seasons together and won the NBA title in 2008, they began a rebuild. The Celtics won 25 games in the first season after the trade but their win total has improved in each of the next three seasons, culminating in getting the top seed in the Eastern Conference this season.
The Nets went the opposite way. They won 44 games and lost in the second round to the Miami Heat in the only season Pierce and Garnett played together in Brooklyn.
Pierce signed with the Washington Wizards in free agency and Garnett was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2015 deadline for Thaddeus Young. In 2015-16, the Nets lost 61 games and fired King along with coach Lionel Hollins in January.
"Back in 2013 it felt like a fair deal for both sides," Grousbeck said. "This is what Brooklyn wanted to do, wanted to go all on it, chase a championship. They put together really a heck of a team, a great team. Now it's our turn four years later to take some benefits from the trade."
Besides getting the first overall pick a night before they open the Eastern Conference finals at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics also get another first-rounder in 2018 from the Nets. Boston already obtained first-round picks from Brooklyn in 2014 and 2016.
"That felt pretty good," Grousbeck said. "It felt like winning Game Seven last night. There's a lot of good feelings around the Celtics right now."
After the lottery ended, Pierce wrote on twitter: "And look what I leave behind for the Celts on my way out #1 pick."
Markelle Fultz is projected to be the top overall pick, and the Celtics could use the pick to pair him in the backcourt with Isaiah Thomas. Both players went to the University of Washington. Thomas was the last overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 draft.
While Boston was going to get a top-four pick, the Los Angeles Lakers had to sweat out the lottery. They moved up one spot to No. 2, but if the pick had fallen outside the top three, the Philadelphia 76ers would have received the selection.
The 76ers, who used the top overall pick in Ben Simmons last year, will select third. It is the third straight season Philadelphia is in the top three as part of a rebuilding process started by former GM Sam Hinkie telling fans to "Trust the process."
"Tonight was a great night as we continue to build our team into a contender," Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said. "There really was no way to walk out of here disappointed given the possible outcomes we faced. We'll now zero in and focus on drafting a quality player at No. 3 who adds to our dynamic young core. We also now have clarity that we'll have a 2018 unprotected pick from the Lakers."
Phoenix will get the fourth overall pick in its eighth straight lottery appearance.
The Sacramento Kings rounded out the top five. The Orlando Magic and Minnesota are sixth and seventh while the New York Knicks are eighth.
The Dallas Mavericks are ninth and the New Orleans Pelicans are 10th. New Orleans traded the pick to Sacramento in the deal involving DeMarcus Cousins at the trade deadline.
The Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat will get the final four lottery picks.
2017 NBA Draft Lottery Results:
14. Miami HEAT
13. Denver Nuggets
12. Detroit Pistons
11. Charlotte Hornets
10. Sacramento Kings
9. Dallas Mavericks
8. New York Knicks
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Orlando Magic
5. Sacramento Kings
4. Phoenix Suns
3. Philadelphia 76ers
2. Los Angeles Lakers
1. Boston Celtics
On Tuesday, the Celtics reaped the ultimate reward of acquiring a first overall pick by winning the NBA draft lottery. Boston will select first for the first time since the lottery began in 1985.
It is the second time the Celtics will pick first. The other time was 1950 when Boston picked Chuck Share, who never played a game for the team.
"I'm glad we didn't trade it, you can write it down," Boston managing partner Wyc Grousbeck said.
The Celtics obtained the pick from the Nets in 2013 and had a 25 percent of getting the top pick. The Nets finished with the league's worst record at 20-62 under first-year general manager Sean Marks, who replaced Billy King in February 2016.
When the Celtics traded Garnett and Pierce after the duo played six seasons together and won the NBA title in 2008, they began a rebuild. The Celtics won 25 games in the first season after the trade but their win total has improved in each of the next three seasons, culminating in getting the top seed in the Eastern Conference this season.
The Nets went the opposite way. They won 44 games and lost in the second round to the Miami Heat in the only season Pierce and Garnett played together in Brooklyn.
Pierce signed with the Washington Wizards in free agency and Garnett was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2015 deadline for Thaddeus Young. In 2015-16, the Nets lost 61 games and fired King along with coach Lionel Hollins in January.
"Back in 2013 it felt like a fair deal for both sides," Grousbeck said. "This is what Brooklyn wanted to do, wanted to go all on it, chase a championship. They put together really a heck of a team, a great team. Now it's our turn four years later to take some benefits from the trade."
Besides getting the first overall pick a night before they open the Eastern Conference finals at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics also get another first-rounder in 2018 from the Nets. Boston already obtained first-round picks from Brooklyn in 2014 and 2016.
"That felt pretty good," Grousbeck said. "It felt like winning Game Seven last night. There's a lot of good feelings around the Celtics right now."
After the lottery ended, Pierce wrote on twitter: "And look what I leave behind for the Celts on my way out #1 pick."
Markelle Fultz is projected to be the top overall pick, and the Celtics could use the pick to pair him in the backcourt with Isaiah Thomas. Both players went to the University of Washington. Thomas was the last overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 draft.
While Boston was going to get a top-four pick, the Los Angeles Lakers had to sweat out the lottery. They moved up one spot to No. 2, but if the pick had fallen outside the top three, the Philadelphia 76ers would have received the selection.
The 76ers, who used the top overall pick in Ben Simmons last year, will select third. It is the third straight season Philadelphia is in the top three as part of a rebuilding process started by former GM Sam Hinkie telling fans to "Trust the process."
"Tonight was a great night as we continue to build our team into a contender," Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said. "There really was no way to walk out of here disappointed given the possible outcomes we faced. We'll now zero in and focus on drafting a quality player at No. 3 who adds to our dynamic young core. We also now have clarity that we'll have a 2018 unprotected pick from the Lakers."
Phoenix will get the fourth overall pick in its eighth straight lottery appearance.
The Sacramento Kings rounded out the top five. The Orlando Magic and Minnesota are sixth and seventh while the New York Knicks are eighth.
The Dallas Mavericks are ninth and the New Orleans Pelicans are 10th. New Orleans traded the pick to Sacramento in the deal involving DeMarcus Cousins at the trade deadline.
The Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat will get the final four lottery picks.
2017 NBA Draft Lottery Results:
14. Miami HEAT
13. Denver Nuggets
12. Detroit Pistons
11. Charlotte Hornets
10. Sacramento Kings
9. Dallas Mavericks
8. New York Knicks
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Orlando Magic
5. Sacramento Kings
4. Phoenix Suns
3. Philadelphia 76ers
2. Los Angeles Lakers
1. Boston Celtics
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Metta scores 18 in possible farewell, Lakers top Pels 108-96
By GREG BEACHAM
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) Metta World Peace had the ball in his hands with the crowd on its feet for the Lakers' final possession in what might be his final game at Staples Center.
And he let the shot clock run out.
"There was no need to (shoot)," he said. "We won the game. Five in a row. This is great."
Leave it to a man who named himself World Peace to remind everybody what's really important, even on a night dedicated to celebrating him.
World Peace scored a team-leading 18 points in the second half, and Los Angeles extended its longest winning streak in four years to five games with a 108-96 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.
Although he hasn't announced his retirement and would like to play basketball next year, World Peace got several standing ovations down the stretch from a crowd celebrating the final on-court link to the Lakers' 16th championship team.
The 37-year-old veteran of 17 NBA seasons made his 840th career NBA start and hit four 3-pointers down the stretch, thrilling his younger teammates and setting off arena-wide chants of his name.
But when he could have punctuated his career with one last shot, he didn't do it.
Like just about everything the former Ron Artest does, his possible final act in a gold Lakers uniform contained elements of intelligence, nobility and absurdist comedy.
Coach Luke Walton would have loved it if World Peace had taken the last shot, but he understood why he didn't.
"You don't want to disrespect the other team at all," Walton said. "Metta was obviously doing that out of respect for (Pelicans coach) Alvin (Gentry) and those guys. ... He's a perfect example of what a professional athlete should be."
Cheick Diallo scored 19 points for the Pelicans, who lost their fifth straight while playing without big men Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: Cousins and Davis watched the game from New Orleans' bench.
Lakers: They played without D'Angelo Russell, who went home to Louisville. Russell played a few hours after his grandmother's death on Sunday and hit the winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. ... Staples Center was crawling with legendary big men. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar got a standing ovation ahead of his 70th birthday on Sunday. Bill Walton watched his son from courtside in a purple Lakers T-shirt, and Bill Russell also caught the game in a courtside seat.
LAKERS ROLL
Brandon Ingram and Jordan Clarkson had 15 points apiece for the Lakers (26-55), whose longest winning streak since 2013 has pushed them past Phoenix in the overall NBA standings and left them assured of finishing with the league's third-worst record.
If the pingpong balls don't give Los Angeles one of the top three picks in the draft lottery on May 16, the Lakers will lose their first-round selection to Philadelphia under the terms of their trade for Steve Nash five years ago. If they lose this pick, they'll also lose their 2019 first-round pick to Orlando.
PELS CHECK OUT
Davis sat for a second straight game with a sore left knee, and Cousins missed his third straight game with heel tendinitis. The rest of the team didn't do much, according to their coach.
"We didn't play hard enough to win the game," Gentry said. "Concentration was non-existent. We had no focus. We play an 82-game schedule. Not 80 games. Not 78 games. We weren't there. We weren't even close tonight."
WORLD PEACE OUT?
While World Peace didn't quite match Kobe Bryant's 60-point finale last year, he got wild ovations in pregame introductions and again whenever he did anything interesting. He didn't score in the first half, but got his 1,716th and 1,717th career steals to move past Ron Harper for 22nd place in NBA history.
World Peace joined the Lakers in 2009 and immediately played a major role on their 16th NBA championship team, hitting a 3-pointer that turned out to be the last field goal in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against Boston.
World Peace changed his name in 2011 and stayed with the Lakers until 2013. He spent the next two years in New York, China and Italy before rejoining the Lakers in 2015.
He surprisingly made the Lakers' roster again this season to serve as a veteran mentor and mature presence in the locker room - an assignment that would have been shocking to anyone who only knew him as the hard-nosed defensive specialist who got the longest suspension in NBA history for brawling in the stands at a Pacers-Pistons game in November 2004.
"I didn't think I would last this long," World Peace said before the game.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: At Trail Blazers on Wednesday in their season finale.
Lakers: At Warriors on Wednesday for their season finale.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Randle, Brewer help Lakers edge Kings 98-94
By STEVE DILBECK
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Maybe you can't win for losing, but the Los Angeles Lakers may find you can lose by winning.
The Lakers have picked an odd time to suddenly start playing their best basketball since the start of the season, beating the Sacramento Kings 98-94 Friday night for their third consecutive victory.
While some scream for them to tank at the season's end to finish behind the Phoenix Suns for the second-worst record in the NBA and improved odds in the lottery, the young Lakers (24-55) are instead seemingly learning how to win close games.
"We don't believe in (tanking)," said forward Julius Randle. "The basketball gods would come back to haunt us."
Randle led the Lakers with 25 points, consistently driving aggressively to the basket. His motivation wasn't hurt by having his old college basketball coach, Kentucky's John Calipari, at the game.
But the biggest play of the night was turned in on the defensive end by forward Corey Brewer.
The Lakers were leading 94-92 with 5 seconds left when guard Buddy Hield tried to inbound the ball. Brewer was guarding the inbound pass. Hield lazily tried to throw the ball over Brewer, standing just a couple feet in front of him, and Brewer simply jumped up and snagged the ball.
He was fouled and made both free throws.
"I have to do a better job inbounding the ball," Hield said. "I have to use my deception better."
The Kings had five players score in double figures, but it wasn't enough to overcome 23 turnovers.
Skal Labissiere led Sacramento with 19 points, while Hield had 17. Darren Collison added 15 points and 10 assists, Willie Cauley-Stein scored 14 points and Georgios Papagiannis had 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Brandon Ingram joined Randle in double figures for the Lakers with 14 points, while D'Angelo Russell had 13 points and Jordan Clarkson 12.
TIP-INS
Kings: Sacramento is apparently unconcerned with how its play will impact its own lottery chances. The Kings entered Friday having won four of their last six and tied with the Timberwolves for seventh-worst record in the league. Said Kings coach Dave Joerger: "There's no tanking here."
Lakers: Had won only 22 games all season, but Wednesday surprised the Spurs in San Antonio with a 102-95 win. Said Lakers coach Luke Walton: "It's sports. It's odd (but) we beat the Golden State Warriors by 20 earlier this season."
BLOCKING OUT
The Kings outrebounded the Lakers 15-6 in the first quarter but were outrebounded the rest of the way 36-25 (14-5 offensive boards). Said Joerger: "They threw us around in the paint and got 16 offensive rebounds. . We have to do a better job of protecting the rim."
KIDS LEARNING
The Lakers have struggled to finish close games all season, but particularly after trading leading score Lou Williams to Houston on Feb. 21. Their three consecutive victories, however, have been by 4, 7 and 5 points. Said Walton: "They seem to be more comfortable. I hope it's from the opportunity they've had and not because it's the end of the season and there really isn't any pressure on us."
UP NEXT
Kings: Will have their improved play of late tested Sunday when they host the Rockets. Houston has won 11 of the last 12 against the Kings, including all three this season.
Lakers: Host the Timberwolves Sunday, a team that beat them by 15 points a week ago in Minnesota. Timberwolves have gone 8-6 against the Lakers after a 22-game skid.
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Maybe you can't win for losing, but the Los Angeles Lakers may find you can lose by winning.
The Lakers have picked an odd time to suddenly start playing their best basketball since the start of the season, beating the Sacramento Kings 98-94 Friday night for their third consecutive victory.
While some scream for them to tank at the season's end to finish behind the Phoenix Suns for the second-worst record in the NBA and improved odds in the lottery, the young Lakers (24-55) are instead seemingly learning how to win close games.
"We don't believe in (tanking)," said forward Julius Randle. "The basketball gods would come back to haunt us."
Randle led the Lakers with 25 points, consistently driving aggressively to the basket. His motivation wasn't hurt by having his old college basketball coach, Kentucky's John Calipari, at the game.
But the biggest play of the night was turned in on the defensive end by forward Corey Brewer.
The Lakers were leading 94-92 with 5 seconds left when guard Buddy Hield tried to inbound the ball. Brewer was guarding the inbound pass. Hield lazily tried to throw the ball over Brewer, standing just a couple feet in front of him, and Brewer simply jumped up and snagged the ball.
He was fouled and made both free throws.
"I have to do a better job inbounding the ball," Hield said. "I have to use my deception better."
The Kings had five players score in double figures, but it wasn't enough to overcome 23 turnovers.
Skal Labissiere led Sacramento with 19 points, while Hield had 17. Darren Collison added 15 points and 10 assists, Willie Cauley-Stein scored 14 points and Georgios Papagiannis had 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
Brandon Ingram joined Randle in double figures for the Lakers with 14 points, while D'Angelo Russell had 13 points and Jordan Clarkson 12.
TIP-INS
Kings: Sacramento is apparently unconcerned with how its play will impact its own lottery chances. The Kings entered Friday having won four of their last six and tied with the Timberwolves for seventh-worst record in the league. Said Kings coach Dave Joerger: "There's no tanking here."
Lakers: Had won only 22 games all season, but Wednesday surprised the Spurs in San Antonio with a 102-95 win. Said Lakers coach Luke Walton: "It's sports. It's odd (but) we beat the Golden State Warriors by 20 earlier this season."
BLOCKING OUT
The Kings outrebounded the Lakers 15-6 in the first quarter but were outrebounded the rest of the way 36-25 (14-5 offensive boards). Said Joerger: "They threw us around in the paint and got 16 offensive rebounds. . We have to do a better job of protecting the rim."
KIDS LEARNING
The Lakers have struggled to finish close games all season, but particularly after trading leading score Lou Williams to Houston on Feb. 21. Their three consecutive victories, however, have been by 4, 7 and 5 points. Said Walton: "They seem to be more comfortable. I hope it's from the opportunity they've had and not because it's the end of the season and there really isn't any pressure on us."
UP NEXT
Kings: Will have their improved play of late tested Sunday when they host the Rockets. Houston has won 11 of the last 12 against the Kings, including all three this season.
Lakers: Host the Timberwolves Sunday, a team that beat them by 15 points a week ago in Minnesota. Timberwolves have gone 8-6 against the Lakers after a 22-game skid.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Tyler Ennis scores 19 points, Lakers top Spurs 102-95
By RAUL DOMINGUEZ
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) The Los Angeles Lakers were having a blast in a rather meaningless game, dashing up and down the court and flying to the rim for rebounds and dunks.
And no one was having more fun than Tyler Ennis.
Making his first start of the season, Ennis had 19 points in place of injured starter D'Angelo Russell and the Lakers never trailed in a 102-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
"Everybody is just playing free and unselfish, just trying to make the right plays," said Lakers forward Julius Randle, one of five players in double figures. "Everybody is aggressive, so, naturally, it's a lot of fun."
Los Angeles led by as many as 26 points in snapping an eight-game skid against San Antonio.
"They were physical," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "They got after it, they did a good job, they deserved to win."
San Antonio played its normal starting lineup, with the exception of injured guard Danny Green, despite already clinching the Southwest Division title.
Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge did not play in the second half, however, as Popovich opted to rest his starting forwards. Leonard finished with 11 points in 14 minutes, and Aldridge had eight points and six rebounds in 16 minutes.
"I didn't want to overplay anybody just to win a basketball game," Popovich said. "It doesn't make much sense in the long run."
The Lakers (23-55) may have the league's third worst record, but outplayed the Spurs and snapped their three-game winning streak.
"They're having fun," Los Angeles coach Luke Walton said. "We're trying to build momentum for this off-season and hopefully we can stay healthy and keep playing a certain way."
San Antonio scored a season-low 14 points in the first quarter for the second consecutive game.
"We were able to move the ball well, but we also got stagnant at some times, just in mud, we had some open looks and didn't make them," Leonard said.
Ennis sparked the early run after learning Russell would miss the game after experiencing soreness in his left knee during shootaround.
Ennis responded with five points, two assists and no turnovers in the opening period. He finished with six assists and only one turnover while shooting 3 for 4 on 3-pointers.
"I think for me, in my situation so far, coach is making me feel more comfortable than I've been," Ennis said. "My teammates have believed in me. That's the main thing for me, is being able to be comfortable out there."
Larry Nance Jr. had six points and two rebounds in the opening four minutes as the Lakers rolled to a 31-14 lead in the first quarter.
Nance finished with 15 points and nine rebounds and Randle had 11 points and eight rebounds.
Los Angeles outscored San Antonio 58-38 in the paint.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Brandon Ingram, who was initially listed as questionable, played 10 minutes despite experiencing right patellar tendinitis. "Originally, he was on no minutes restriction, but with the pain (he is now)," Walton said. "He really wants to play and the trainer said he should be fine." ... Jordan Clarkson said his left knee was fine after bumping knees with another player in the second half. ... Tarik Black was also listed as questionable with a mild sprained left knee, but had five points in 27 minutes. ... Ennis has played in 49 games, 18 with the Lakers since being acquired in a trade with Houston.
Spurs: San Antonio G Manu Ginobili did not play after bruising his right quadriceps Tuesday against Memphis. ... Green missed his third straight game with a bruised left quadriceps. ... San Antonio played its first back-to-back games at the AT&T Center in a non-lockout shortened season since February 2009. ... Davis Bertans has 25 blocks, one more than Leonard had his rookie season.
NO TANKING
The Lakers will be forced to trade their upcoming pick in the NBA draft to Philadelphia unless they get one of the top three selections as part of a Feb. 20, 2015, trade.
Because the draft pick is only protected up to the third pick, some Lakers fans want the team to lose and fall further down the standings. The Lakers are currently third in the standings behind Brooklyn and Phoenix.
An unexpected win against the Spurs likely didn't make some Lakers fans happy, but Ennis didn't care.
"We're all on social media, so we see it, but I only worry about things in here," Ennis said. "Coach (Walton) wants us to go out there and win. I don't think any coach is going to make you go out there and lose a game. I don't really care what the fans say about winning or losing games. I'm going to go out there every night and try to win."
READY TO GO
Leonard said he expects to play in San Antonio's final four games despite averaging a team-high 33.9 minutes per game this season.
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep playing games, I don't want to fall out of rhythm," Leonard said. "But that's up to (Popovich) and we'll see what happens."
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Sacramento on Friday night.
Spurs: At Dallas on Friday night.
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) The Los Angeles Lakers were having a blast in a rather meaningless game, dashing up and down the court and flying to the rim for rebounds and dunks.
And no one was having more fun than Tyler Ennis.
Making his first start of the season, Ennis had 19 points in place of injured starter D'Angelo Russell and the Lakers never trailed in a 102-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.
"Everybody is just playing free and unselfish, just trying to make the right plays," said Lakers forward Julius Randle, one of five players in double figures. "Everybody is aggressive, so, naturally, it's a lot of fun."
Los Angeles led by as many as 26 points in snapping an eight-game skid against San Antonio.
"They were physical," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "They got after it, they did a good job, they deserved to win."
San Antonio played its normal starting lineup, with the exception of injured guard Danny Green, despite already clinching the Southwest Division title.
Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge did not play in the second half, however, as Popovich opted to rest his starting forwards. Leonard finished with 11 points in 14 minutes, and Aldridge had eight points and six rebounds in 16 minutes.
"I didn't want to overplay anybody just to win a basketball game," Popovich said. "It doesn't make much sense in the long run."
The Lakers (23-55) may have the league's third worst record, but outplayed the Spurs and snapped their three-game winning streak.
"They're having fun," Los Angeles coach Luke Walton said. "We're trying to build momentum for this off-season and hopefully we can stay healthy and keep playing a certain way."
San Antonio scored a season-low 14 points in the first quarter for the second consecutive game.
"We were able to move the ball well, but we also got stagnant at some times, just in mud, we had some open looks and didn't make them," Leonard said.
Ennis sparked the early run after learning Russell would miss the game after experiencing soreness in his left knee during shootaround.
Ennis responded with five points, two assists and no turnovers in the opening period. He finished with six assists and only one turnover while shooting 3 for 4 on 3-pointers.
"I think for me, in my situation so far, coach is making me feel more comfortable than I've been," Ennis said. "My teammates have believed in me. That's the main thing for me, is being able to be comfortable out there."
Larry Nance Jr. had six points and two rebounds in the opening four minutes as the Lakers rolled to a 31-14 lead in the first quarter.
Nance finished with 15 points and nine rebounds and Randle had 11 points and eight rebounds.
Los Angeles outscored San Antonio 58-38 in the paint.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Brandon Ingram, who was initially listed as questionable, played 10 minutes despite experiencing right patellar tendinitis. "Originally, he was on no minutes restriction, but with the pain (he is now)," Walton said. "He really wants to play and the trainer said he should be fine." ... Jordan Clarkson said his left knee was fine after bumping knees with another player in the second half. ... Tarik Black was also listed as questionable with a mild sprained left knee, but had five points in 27 minutes. ... Ennis has played in 49 games, 18 with the Lakers since being acquired in a trade with Houston.
Spurs: San Antonio G Manu Ginobili did not play after bruising his right quadriceps Tuesday against Memphis. ... Green missed his third straight game with a bruised left quadriceps. ... San Antonio played its first back-to-back games at the AT&T Center in a non-lockout shortened season since February 2009. ... Davis Bertans has 25 blocks, one more than Leonard had his rookie season.
NO TANKING
The Lakers will be forced to trade their upcoming pick in the NBA draft to Philadelphia unless they get one of the top three selections as part of a Feb. 20, 2015, trade.
Because the draft pick is only protected up to the third pick, some Lakers fans want the team to lose and fall further down the standings. The Lakers are currently third in the standings behind Brooklyn and Phoenix.
An unexpected win against the Spurs likely didn't make some Lakers fans happy, but Ennis didn't care.
"We're all on social media, so we see it, but I only worry about things in here," Ennis said. "Coach (Walton) wants us to go out there and win. I don't think any coach is going to make you go out there and lose a game. I don't really care what the fans say about winning or losing games. I'm going to go out there every night and try to win."
READY TO GO
Leonard said he expects to play in San Antonio's final four games despite averaging a team-high 33.9 minutes per game this season.
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep playing games, I don't want to fall out of rhythm," Leonard said. "But that's up to (Popovich) and we'll see what happens."
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Sacramento on Friday night.
Spurs: At Dallas on Friday night.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Clippers beat Lakers 115-104 for Doc Rivers' 800th victory
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) Comfortable leads have been shrinking lately for the Los Angeles Clippers.
It happened again Saturday against the lowly Lakers.
Only after the Clippers inserted all of their starters in the fourth quarter did they finish off a 115-104 victory, the 800th of Doc Rivers' coaching career.
Rivers sees the problem, yet professes no concern with the playoffs looming.
"I like this team and I'm going to keep saying that," he said. "I think we have proven, especially in the big games, when we're healthy, we play very well."
Blake Griffin scored 36 points, Chris Paul added 29 and J.J. Redick had 19 for the Clippers, who moved within a game of the idle Jazz for the No. 4 playoff seed in the West. The Clippers have won three in a row and seven of nine.
"Our key is going to be in the last six minutes of the game," Rivers said. "We're going to have to execute offensively. We're going to have to be a team that when we need a stop, we can get a stop. There's times that we can do that and then there's times I'm not sure we can."
The Clippers have had little trouble stopping the Lakers, taking three of four in the season series. They've won 18 of 20 from their Staples Center co-tenant since the start of the 2012-13 season.
"The last few years have been the worst in the Lakers' history and that's not OK," rookie coach Luke Walton said before the game.
Rookie David Nwaba scored 19 points and Brandon Ingram had 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter for the Lakers. They have lost 18 of 20 since the All-Star break. D'Angelo Russell, the team's leading scorer at 15.7 points, had two points on 1-of-9 shooting while missing six 3-point attempts.
"They definitely came out with energy. They were hot and our defense wasn't clicking," Russell said. "I tried to stay effective despite my shots not falling."
The Clippers' bench allowed the Lakers to hang around in the fourth when they trailed by 21 at the start. Tarik Black's dunk cut the Lakers' deficit to eight with 2:52 to play.
But Griffin and Paul combined to score the Clippers' final seven points. The duo notched its third straight game with at least 26 points apiece.
"It's not about the second unit, it is about us as a team figuring it out," Paul said. "We still have time, not much time, but we have time to figure it out and we have to do it."
The Clippers dominated the third, turning a five-point lead into a 21-point advantage. They opened on a 24-9 run, including 10 by Paul that extended their lead to 79-59. Griffin and Redick added back-to-back 3-pointers and Paul scored four in a row to send the Clippers into the fourth leading 93-72.
Paul had 12 assists and made all 10 of his free throws, and DeAndre Jordan grabbed 12 rebounds. Griffin made a career-high four 3-pointers.
The Clippers opened the game by scoring 17 straight points, making 7 of 9 field goals. The Lakers missed their first nine shots before going on an 18-2 run to close within one.
TIP-INS
Lakers: They have used 23 different starting lineups this season with no player starting every game. ... G Jordan Clarkson is the only player to appear in every game. ... Ingram returned after missing three games with right patellar tendinitis. "I thought I was going to feel it after the game, but it still felt good," he said. ... C Ivica Zubac is out for the rest of the season with a high right ankle sprain.
Clippers: Backup G Austin Rivers is likely out for the rest of the regular season with a strained left hamstring.
GRIFFIN'S 10K
Griffin scored the game's first basket on a jumper, giving him 10,000 points in his career. He is the second player in franchise history to reach that mark. Randy Smith scored 10,467 of his club-record 12,735 points when the team was known as the Buffalo Braves.
DOC'S MILESTONE
Rivers became the 15th coach in NBA history with 800 victories. Only Gregg Popovich of San Antonio (1,146) has more among active coaches.
"What I've learned most as a coach is persistence and patience," Rivers said before the game. "Patience with the players and myself. As a young coach you have a tendency to overreact to everything and change everything. I've learned not to sweat everything."
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Memphis on Sunday in their next-to-last back-to-back of the season. The Lakers play four of their final six at home.
Clippers: Host Dallas on Wednesday after a three-day break.
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) Comfortable leads have been shrinking lately for the Los Angeles Clippers.
It happened again Saturday against the lowly Lakers.
Only after the Clippers inserted all of their starters in the fourth quarter did they finish off a 115-104 victory, the 800th of Doc Rivers' coaching career.
Rivers sees the problem, yet professes no concern with the playoffs looming.
"I like this team and I'm going to keep saying that," he said. "I think we have proven, especially in the big games, when we're healthy, we play very well."
Blake Griffin scored 36 points, Chris Paul added 29 and J.J. Redick had 19 for the Clippers, who moved within a game of the idle Jazz for the No. 4 playoff seed in the West. The Clippers have won three in a row and seven of nine.
"Our key is going to be in the last six minutes of the game," Rivers said. "We're going to have to execute offensively. We're going to have to be a team that when we need a stop, we can get a stop. There's times that we can do that and then there's times I'm not sure we can."
The Clippers have had little trouble stopping the Lakers, taking three of four in the season series. They've won 18 of 20 from their Staples Center co-tenant since the start of the 2012-13 season.
"The last few years have been the worst in the Lakers' history and that's not OK," rookie coach Luke Walton said before the game.
Rookie David Nwaba scored 19 points and Brandon Ingram had 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter for the Lakers. They have lost 18 of 20 since the All-Star break. D'Angelo Russell, the team's leading scorer at 15.7 points, had two points on 1-of-9 shooting while missing six 3-point attempts.
"They definitely came out with energy. They were hot and our defense wasn't clicking," Russell said. "I tried to stay effective despite my shots not falling."
The Clippers' bench allowed the Lakers to hang around in the fourth when they trailed by 21 at the start. Tarik Black's dunk cut the Lakers' deficit to eight with 2:52 to play.
But Griffin and Paul combined to score the Clippers' final seven points. The duo notched its third straight game with at least 26 points apiece.
"It's not about the second unit, it is about us as a team figuring it out," Paul said. "We still have time, not much time, but we have time to figure it out and we have to do it."
The Clippers dominated the third, turning a five-point lead into a 21-point advantage. They opened on a 24-9 run, including 10 by Paul that extended their lead to 79-59. Griffin and Redick added back-to-back 3-pointers and Paul scored four in a row to send the Clippers into the fourth leading 93-72.
Paul had 12 assists and made all 10 of his free throws, and DeAndre Jordan grabbed 12 rebounds. Griffin made a career-high four 3-pointers.
The Clippers opened the game by scoring 17 straight points, making 7 of 9 field goals. The Lakers missed their first nine shots before going on an 18-2 run to close within one.
TIP-INS
Lakers: They have used 23 different starting lineups this season with no player starting every game. ... G Jordan Clarkson is the only player to appear in every game. ... Ingram returned after missing three games with right patellar tendinitis. "I thought I was going to feel it after the game, but it still felt good," he said. ... C Ivica Zubac is out for the rest of the season with a high right ankle sprain.
Clippers: Backup G Austin Rivers is likely out for the rest of the regular season with a strained left hamstring.
GRIFFIN'S 10K
Griffin scored the game's first basket on a jumper, giving him 10,000 points in his career. He is the second player in franchise history to reach that mark. Randy Smith scored 10,467 of his club-record 12,735 points when the team was known as the Buffalo Braves.
DOC'S MILESTONE
Rivers became the 15th coach in NBA history with 800 victories. Only Gregg Popovich of San Antonio (1,146) has more among active coaches.
"What I've learned most as a coach is persistence and patience," Rivers said before the game. "Patience with the players and myself. As a young coach you have a tendency to overreact to everything and change everything. I've learned not to sweat everything."
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Memphis on Sunday in their next-to-last back-to-back of the season. The Lakers play four of their final six at home.
Clippers: Host Dallas on Wednesday after a three-day break.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Rubio scores career-high 33 as Wolves beat Lakers 119-104
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
AP Basketball Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Ricky Rubio knows the Minnesota Timberwolves will almost assuredly miss the playoffs for the 13th straight year. Still, the pass-first point guard can take heart in knowing that he is changing the way the league views him as his season winds down.
Rubio had a career-high 33 points, 10 assists and five rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points to lead the Timberwolves to a 119-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
"Starting the season, I wasn't feeling that good," said Rubio, who made 12 of 20 shots and 4 of 5 3-pointers, "and now I feel the best I've ever felt."
Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points for the Timberwolves (30-44), who have now won more games than they did last season. Minnesota had 30 assists and only 11 turnovers.
Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points and D'Angelo Russell had 14 points and seven assists for the Lakers (21-54), who have lost 17 of their last 19 games. Brandon Ingram missed his third straight game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
"Defensively, we definitely have to do better communicating," Clarkson said. "We were trying to force (Rubio) into taking those shots and giving a lot of help. He just made them tonight."
After playing well coming out of the All-Star break to revive their playoff hopes, the Wolves lost six straight earlier this month to fade from contention. One of those losses was an ugly one to the Lakers in Los Angeles last week and they were in danger of giving away another lead late to the lowly Lakers when Clarkson hit a 3 to pull LA within nine in the final four minutes.
But Rubio scored on a drive to the basket and knocked down a 21-foot jumper to hold off the comeback. A 37 percent shooter for his career, Rubio is shooting 46.5 percent and 44 percent from 3-point range, since the All-Star break.
"He's someone that you normally are living with him shooting 3s," coach Luke Walton said. "But our defense, we weren't communicating."
Julius Randle had 12 points and 13 rebounds and Tarik Black had 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Lakers, who entered the day a half-game ahead of the Suns for the second-worst record in the NBA.
"I wish we could fight for the playoff right now," Rubio said. "That's what I came here for. I hope we can build from here and finally take off next season."
TIP-INS
Lakers: Walton said the plan was for Ingram to practice on Friday and play on Saturday if all went well. ... Thomas Robinson, who had not played in four of the last five games, gave the Lakers a lift with 12 points in 14 minutes. ... The Lakers bench outscored Minnesota's 47-10.
Timberwolves: Minnesota scored 25 points off of 17 Lakers turnovers. ... Debbie Saunders presented a check for $6,000 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Basketball Academy on behalf of the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund, named for the former Wolves president and coach who died from complications involving lymphoma in 2015.
ZUBAC HURT
Lakers big man Ivica Zubac limped off the floor two minutes into the game with a sprained right ankle. He was taken for X-rays, which were negative, the Lakers said. He suffered a high ankle sprain and will be evaluated when the Lakers get back to Los Angeles. He left the arena in a walking boot.
"I'm not sure if I stepped on somebody's foot or what," he said. "But I don't know. Just rolled it."
GORGUI'S EFFORT
Gorgui Dieng added 11 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for Minnesota, giving the Wolves a presence on defense and a stability on offense that he has all season long. Towns and Wiggins get more shots and pile up more stats, but Dieng has been crucial to what the Wolves do.
"They may seem like small things," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They're huge things in terms of winning."
UP NEXT
Lakers: Los Angeles heads back home, but it's technically for a road game against the Clippers on Saturday.
Timberwolves: Minnesota plays the second of a three-game home stand on Saturday against Sacramento.
AP Basketball Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Ricky Rubio knows the Minnesota Timberwolves will almost assuredly miss the playoffs for the 13th straight year. Still, the pass-first point guard can take heart in knowing that he is changing the way the league views him as his season winds down.
Rubio had a career-high 33 points, 10 assists and five rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points to lead the Timberwolves to a 119-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
"Starting the season, I wasn't feeling that good," said Rubio, who made 12 of 20 shots and 4 of 5 3-pointers, "and now I feel the best I've ever felt."
Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points for the Timberwolves (30-44), who have now won more games than they did last season. Minnesota had 30 assists and only 11 turnovers.
Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points and D'Angelo Russell had 14 points and seven assists for the Lakers (21-54), who have lost 17 of their last 19 games. Brandon Ingram missed his third straight game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
"Defensively, we definitely have to do better communicating," Clarkson said. "We were trying to force (Rubio) into taking those shots and giving a lot of help. He just made them tonight."
After playing well coming out of the All-Star break to revive their playoff hopes, the Wolves lost six straight earlier this month to fade from contention. One of those losses was an ugly one to the Lakers in Los Angeles last week and they were in danger of giving away another lead late to the lowly Lakers when Clarkson hit a 3 to pull LA within nine in the final four minutes.
But Rubio scored on a drive to the basket and knocked down a 21-foot jumper to hold off the comeback. A 37 percent shooter for his career, Rubio is shooting 46.5 percent and 44 percent from 3-point range, since the All-Star break.
"He's someone that you normally are living with him shooting 3s," coach Luke Walton said. "But our defense, we weren't communicating."
Julius Randle had 12 points and 13 rebounds and Tarik Black had 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Lakers, who entered the day a half-game ahead of the Suns for the second-worst record in the NBA.
"I wish we could fight for the playoff right now," Rubio said. "That's what I came here for. I hope we can build from here and finally take off next season."
TIP-INS
Lakers: Walton said the plan was for Ingram to practice on Friday and play on Saturday if all went well. ... Thomas Robinson, who had not played in four of the last five games, gave the Lakers a lift with 12 points in 14 minutes. ... The Lakers bench outscored Minnesota's 47-10.
Timberwolves: Minnesota scored 25 points off of 17 Lakers turnovers. ... Debbie Saunders presented a check for $6,000 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Basketball Academy on behalf of the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund, named for the former Wolves president and coach who died from complications involving lymphoma in 2015.
ZUBAC HURT
Lakers big man Ivica Zubac limped off the floor two minutes into the game with a sprained right ankle. He was taken for X-rays, which were negative, the Lakers said. He suffered a high ankle sprain and will be evaluated when the Lakers get back to Los Angeles. He left the arena in a walking boot.
"I'm not sure if I stepped on somebody's foot or what," he said. "But I don't know. Just rolled it."
GORGUI'S EFFORT
Gorgui Dieng added 11 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and three blocks for Minnesota, giving the Wolves a presence on defense and a stability on offense that he has all season long. Towns and Wiggins get more shots and pile up more stats, but Dieng has been crucial to what the Wolves do.
"They may seem like small things," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They're huge things in terms of winning."
UP NEXT
Lakers: Los Angeles heads back home, but it's technically for a road game against the Clippers on Saturday.
Timberwolves: Minnesota plays the second of a three-game home stand on Saturday against Sacramento.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Modest goals remain when Timberwolves host Lakers
Stats, LLC
MINNEAPOLIS -- The flickering hopes of challenging for a playoff spot were doused by a grueling stretch of road games for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota begins a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday with only the possibility of improvement on last season remaining. Los Angeles is heading toward another high pick in the NBA Draft with the league's second-worst record.
Two of the NBA's youngest teams are all too familiar with their current position: playing out the string in the season's final weeks.
The Timberwolves finished a stretch of seven of nine games on the road with a come-from-behind, 115-114 victory at Indiana on Tuesday.
"We did a great job of staying together, regardless of what was happening in the game," Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns told the team's website. "We felt that we had a chance the whole time. ... We did a great job at the end of executing."
Positivity has been fleeting recently for the Timberwolves.
They had won three home games in a row, all against playoff teams, the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards. But Minnesota lost six straight games before Tuesday's win. Six of the seven games were on the road.
Still, the Timberwolves matched last season's win total at 29-44 by beating the Pacers. Point guard Ricky Rubio hit three free throws with 3.4 seconds left to take the lead, and Indiana missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
"That moment is the reason you work in the arena by yourself shooting hundreds of free throws," said Rubio, who had 21 points, 10 assists and was a career-best 13 of 13 from the foul line. "You want to have moments like that, to feel that pressure. It's hard to do it at the end of the game."
Following the three-game homestand, Minnesota finishes the season with five of six games on the road.
Los Angeles' season also has collapsed at the end, though the Lakers were never in position to challenge for the playoffs after November. Like the Timberwolves, Los Angeles (21-53) is trying to find optimism.
For three quarters, the Lakers were handling Washington on Tuesday. Then John Wall and the Wizards took over in the fourth quarter to win in Los Angeles.
"We were playing unselfish," Lakers coach Luke Walton said. "It was beautiful and a lot of fun to watch. Then, unfortunately, the fourth quarter started with us missing some open looks that we had been hitting. Then we had a couple turnovers. (Washington) picked the pressure up ... and they cut into that lead without really even having to get hot."
D'Angelo Russell scored 20 of his 28 points in the first half, and Jordan Clarkson finished with 22 points. Tyler Ennis, one of the young players getting a late-season opportunity, had 11 points.
Rookie forward Brandon Ingram, taken three spots ahead of Minnesota rookie point guard Kris Dunn in last summer's draft, missed the Tuesday game due to right patellar tendinitis, and he is questionable for the Thursday game.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The flickering hopes of challenging for a playoff spot were doused by a grueling stretch of road games for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota begins a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday with only the possibility of improvement on last season remaining. Los Angeles is heading toward another high pick in the NBA Draft with the league's second-worst record.
Two of the NBA's youngest teams are all too familiar with their current position: playing out the string in the season's final weeks.
The Timberwolves finished a stretch of seven of nine games on the road with a come-from-behind, 115-114 victory at Indiana on Tuesday.
"We did a great job of staying together, regardless of what was happening in the game," Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns told the team's website. "We felt that we had a chance the whole time. ... We did a great job at the end of executing."
Positivity has been fleeting recently for the Timberwolves.
They had won three home games in a row, all against playoff teams, the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards. But Minnesota lost six straight games before Tuesday's win. Six of the seven games were on the road.
Still, the Timberwolves matched last season's win total at 29-44 by beating the Pacers. Point guard Ricky Rubio hit three free throws with 3.4 seconds left to take the lead, and Indiana missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
"That moment is the reason you work in the arena by yourself shooting hundreds of free throws," said Rubio, who had 21 points, 10 assists and was a career-best 13 of 13 from the foul line. "You want to have moments like that, to feel that pressure. It's hard to do it at the end of the game."
Following the three-game homestand, Minnesota finishes the season with five of six games on the road.
Los Angeles' season also has collapsed at the end, though the Lakers were never in position to challenge for the playoffs after November. Like the Timberwolves, Los Angeles (21-53) is trying to find optimism.
For three quarters, the Lakers were handling Washington on Tuesday. Then John Wall and the Wizards took over in the fourth quarter to win in Los Angeles.
"We were playing unselfish," Lakers coach Luke Walton said. "It was beautiful and a lot of fun to watch. Then, unfortunately, the fourth quarter started with us missing some open looks that we had been hitting. Then we had a couple turnovers. (Washington) picked the pressure up ... and they cut into that lead without really even having to get hot."
D'Angelo Russell scored 20 of his 28 points in the first half, and Jordan Clarkson finished with 22 points. Tyler Ennis, one of the young players getting a late-season opportunity, had 11 points.
Rookie forward Brandon Ingram, taken three spots ahead of Minnesota rookie point guard Kris Dunn in last summer's draft, missed the Tuesday game due to right patellar tendinitis, and he is questionable for the Thursday game.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Wizards beat Lakers 119-108 to clinch division title
By BETH HARRIS
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) Water pooled on a table in the middle of the noisy locker room and soaked in the carpet. The Washington Wizards had just celebrated clinching the Southeast Division for the franchise's first division title in 38 years.
"We had a little water bottle fight in here," a smiling Bradley Beal said after a 119-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. "It's history for us."
John Wall shot 14 of 25 for 34 points and Beal was held to 16 points on 7-of-16 shooting, but the Wizards ended the longest division-title drought in NBA history with their fourth straight victory.
"John and I especially, we've been on the team for five years," Beal said. "It's big-time for us and we're excited to keep it moving forward."
When the franchise last claimed a division title in 1978-79, it was known as the Bullets of the Atlantic Division and played in suburban Landover, Maryland. The team had won its lone NBA championship the previous season and went on to lose the 1979 Finals to the Seattle SuperSonics.
"Quite an accomplishment," first-year coach Scott Brooks said. "It's a credit to everyone in the organization."
From 1979-80 on, Washington has had one of the worst winning percentages in the league, and while the team has made the playoffs 14 times in that span, it hasn't gotten past the second round.
Washington put the divisional slump in the past by outscoring the Lakers 37-13 in the fourth.
The Wizards opened on a 19-6 run to tie it at 101 with their second unit in for much of the spurt.
"That changed the game," Brooks said. "They're energy (the bench) and gave our starters the chance to finish the game off."
Wall returned with his team down four and hit a layup and stole D'Angelo Russell's bad pass for a fast-break one-handed tying dunk.
Beal came back, too, and he and Wall combined to score Washington's next seven points for a 108-104 lead.
"It's a great accomplishment," Wall said. "It's something we can cherish, but we have bigger goals and our minds set on other things."
The Wizards have won 16 games after trailing by double-digits. They were down 13 to start the fourth.
"We definitely got to credit our second group," Beal said. "They got us back in the game."
The Lakers had as many turnovers (five) as field goals and got dominated in the paint, 20-8, in the final 12 minutes.
"They didn't have to run an offense," Russell said. "They scored off of our missed shots, turnovers and they got transition baskets."
Kelly Oubre Jr. hit a 3-pointer to make it 113-108, effectively finishing off the Lakers.
Russell led Los Angeles with 28 points and Jordan Clarkson added 22 points.
The Lakers led by 16 in the third, when they outscored the Wizards 28-14 to start. Wall tossed up an air ball during the Lakers' run before making his team's last two baskets to pull them to 95-92 going into the fourth.
The Lakers have lost 16 of 18 since the All-Star break and have eight games remaining before missing the playoffs yet again.
TIP-INS
Wizards: They didn't have a field goal over the final 4:13 of the opening quarter, with four different Lakers blocking five shots in that stretch. ... They opened their five-game trip with a 12-point win over defending NBA champion Cleveland on Saturday.
Lakers: Coach Luke Walton turned 37 on Tuesday. ... They lost the season series 2-0, getting beaten by eight points on Feb. 2.
MARCH TO 50
With the division title locked up, the Wizards next have their sights on 50 wins. The franchise hasn't won that many since going 54-28 in 1978-79. It would be just the fifth time the team has won that many games. They have 46 wins with eight games remaining after a 2-8 start.
INGRAM OUT
Lakers forward Brandon Ingram sat out his second straight with right patellar tendinitis after playing in the team's first 72 games, including 33 starts. He's averaging 9.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists as a rookie.
"He gives us a dynamic presence out there," Walton said. "He's grown so much as a player. Not only are we losing some scoring, but defense."
UP NEXT
Wizards: At Clippers on Wednesday in last back-to-back of season. They are 19-11 in such games. They beat L.A. by seven points at home in December.
Lakers: At Minnesota on Thursday in a rematch of last Friday's game in L.A., where the Lakers won by 11 points in their first overtime game of the season.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Blazers beat Lakers 97-81, tie Denver for final spot in West
By STEVE DILBECK
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) As their surprising turnaround rolls on, the Portland Trail Blazers are now tied for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Damian Lillard scored 22 points and Portland beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-81 on Sunday night to pull even with Denver for eighth place in the West. Both the Blazers and Nuggets are 35-38 with nine games left in the season - and they play each other Tuesday night in Portland.
"We wanted to get to this point since the All-Star break," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "We put ourselves in a good position, but our hardest work is ahead of us."
After overcoming an ugly first half for both teams, the Blazers bounced back with a decisive third quarter to win for the 11th time in 14 games.
Both teams shot only 32.6 percent in the first half, but Lillard got going in the second and the Blazers pushed an eight-point lead at the break to 21. They outscored the Lakers 37-24 in the third period.
Allen Crabbe added 18 points off the bench for Portland. Noah Vonleh grabbed a career-high 14 boards, and the Blazers outrebounded the Lakers 61-42.
"They got a little hot," Lakers forward Julius Randle said. "Guys made shots and we struggled all day offensively. It's tough."
D'Angelo Russell had 22 points, but Tyler Ennis' 14 made him the only other Lakers player in double figures. Los Angeles shot 39.3 percent on the night.
"I thought our defense was solid the entire game," Stotts said. "The first half, they only had 32 points."
The Blazers shot just 40.4 percent themselves, but were playing on back-to-back nights. They are 8-6 on the second night of a back-to-back.
Portland, which has beaten the Lakers 12 consecutive times, hardly looked like a team with playoff ambitions when it finished February at 24-35. But the Blazers have gone 11-3 since to catch the Nuggets and set up a huge game Tuesday.
Denver lost at home to the New Orleans Pelicans earlier Sunday night.
"Obviously, it takes on significance when you are playing the team you are tied with," Stotts said. "So it's important, but after that one is over the next one is going to be more important."
The Lakers, who won their previous game against the Timberwolves, have won consecutive games only once since mid-November.
TIP-INS
Trail Blazers: Shot 62.4 percent against Minnesota on Saturday, their best mark since hitting 64.1 percent on March 12, 2003. Coming into Sunday, they had shot 50.6 percent over their last five games.
Lakers: Rookie forward Brandon Ingram, who started the previous 19 games and averaged 12.1 points on 48.4 percent shooting, did not play because of right patellar tendinitis. Said coach Luke Walton: "He was out there warming up and it's not right." Corey Brewer got his first start for the Lakers.
VONLEH RISING
The third-year forward is looking more and more comfortable for the Blazers. He's started the last 17 games, and his 14 rebounds Sunday came two games after he established his previous high with 12.
CLARKSON INJURED
Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson bruised his right pinkie in the second quarter. X-rays at halftime were negative and he started the third period with the finger taped. He was only 4 of 16 from the field.
UP NEXT
Trail Blazers: Face the Nuggets for the final time this season Tuesday in Portland. The Blazers lead the season series 2-1. Lillard is averaging 36.3 points against Denver.
Lakers: Host the Washington Wizards on Tuesday and will face a top NBA backcourt for the second consecutive game. Los Angeles lost the first meeting 116-108 when John Wall and Bradley Beal combined for 56 points for Washington.
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