Kyle Kuzma lead the Lakers in scoring with 18 points to go with 7 rebounds, but the Lakers couldn't snap the losing streak against Portland on Saturday night before Christmas, losing 95-92. Josh Hart filled in for Brandon Ingram, chipping in 11 points. KCP added a near double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds and Lonzo Ball nearly had a triple-double with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists. Jordan Clarkson lead the second unit with 18 points and Julius Randle closely followed with 16 points and 9 rebounds.
Final Score: vs. Portland 95-92 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20171223/PORLAL#/recap
Highlights: *Courtesy of Rapid Highlights*
The silver lining about this back-to-back set with the Warriors on the road and the Blazers at home is that the Lakers competed their tails off. In the past, they'd lose in hard-fought game and then the next day, they'd get blown out. That wasn't the case here. The Lakers came back to rally, but they came up short in another heartbreaking loss to the Blazers. Lonzo Ball did not follow up from his great shooting performance against the Warriors, but he came up big with the game-tying three and a key defensive play in the final minute of the 4th quarter. Jordan Clarkson bounced back after being non-existent in the Houston and Golden State games. Josh Hart was solid, putting up the same point total from yesterday's game vs. the Timberwolves. Hart showed off his fearless attitude in these last two games including this. The play that hurt here is that the Lakers tried to hit a dagger three as Ball kicked it to Kuzma up 91-92. You could make the argument that Zach Collins, who blocked the shot, probably hit Kuzma on the hand and that's an obvious foul. Looking at it again, Collins got a finger on the ball before he hit Kuzma's hand. Not to mention, referees rarely call a foul in the final seconds of the 4th quarter. The close loss isn't all on that play though. The Blazers were missing Damian Lillard, but C.J. McCollum continued to put up good numbers. The two players who stepped up the most for Portland were Shabazz Napier and Maurice Harkless. Both had 21 points and 22 points respectively. Napier filled in well for Lillard's absence in the back court with McCollum and Harkless ignited the bench for the Blazers with this outing.
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