Lillard Scores 36 Points As Blazers Beat Lakers 121-103
LOS ANGELES (AP) —Damian Lillard had 36 points and the Trail Blazers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 121-103 on Saturday night for Kobe Bryant's last game in Portland.
CJ McCollum added 28 points and the Blazers led by as many as 27 points in the first half on the way to their eighth straight victory over the Lakers.
D'Angelo Russell came off the bench with 21 points for the Lakers, who dropped their sixth straight game. But all eyes were on Bryant, a Portland nemesis dating back to the 2000 Western Conference finals, who finished with 10 points.
It was the second of a back-to-back for the Lakers, who fell 108-95 to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. The game fell on the 10th anniversary of Bryant's 81-point game against Toronto, which remains the second-highest scoring game in NBA history.
Because of the back-to-back, there was speculation that Bryant would not even play against the Blazers.
"I'm obviously well aware it's his last game here, so I'll deal with that appropriately," Lakers coach Byron Scott said before the game, adding that he wouldn't otherwise coach any differently.
It was Bryant's 62nd game against Portland. Going in, the 37-year-old was averaging 27.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists versus the Blazers.
In Portland, Bryant is 6-25, his worst record in any city. But while the Blazers have pestered him during regular season games, most fans remember the 2000 conference finals. Portland was up by 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game 7, but the Lakers — led by Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal — came back to win.
Still, there is grudging respect for Bryant, evident in the mixture of cheers and boos when Bryant was announced in pregame introductions, and an occasional "Kobe! Kobe!" chant broke out among the fans.
Portland pushed its lead to 35-20 in the first half, with Lillard and McCollum combining for 24 points. Gerald Henderson's 15-foot jumper pushed the lead to 43-24.
The Lakers closed the gap to 53-46 after Lou William's jumper and free throw. Williams hit a 3-pointer that got the Lakers within 59-52 at the end of the half, but McCollum answered with his own 3 and the Blazers led 62-52 at the break.
Portland extended the lead to 101-76, going on an 18-4 run to close out the fourth quarter. The Lakers closed within 103-88 after Russell's 3-pointer and free throw and fans chanted "We want Kobe," but Bryant was already done for the night.
A fan behind the Lakers' bench held a sign that read "Thank You Kobe."
Bryant embraced both Lillard and McCollum after the game and left the court to a loud ovation.
It was the sixth time Lillard had 30 or more points against the Lakers.
TIP INS
Lakers: The Lakers remained without Larry Nance Jr., who missed his fourth straight game with a sore right knee. "He's getting better," Scott said. "I think if it was up to him he'd play tonight, but it's not."
Trail Blazers: Portland was coming off a 104-98 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday. Lillard passed Damon Stoudamire for fourth on Portland's career 3-pointer list.
CLYDE THE GLIDE
Kobe Bryant recently listed former Blazer Clyde Drexler among the top five players he's faced in his long career. His coach had to agree with him that Drexler was one of the best — on and off the court.
"Clyde is just a great guy, an unbelievable talent," Scott said. "There wasn't a lot he couldn't do with a basketball."
UP NEXT
The Lakers host Dallas on Tuesday night.
The Trail Blazers host Sacramento on Tuesday night.
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