Lakers lose big to the Blazers as Davis exits early.
The Lakers fall big to the Portland Trail Blazers 105–90, as they drop to 5–5 in the season's first ten games. In a blowout loss, the Lakers had absolutely no shots fall their way tonight, shooting 28% (9–32) from beyond the arc and 34% (31–90) overall from the field. The biggest turning point came in the 3rd quarter, as the Lakers allowed the most points in a quarter all season, giving up a whopping 42 points in the 3rd quarter alone, with the largest lead of the night being 34 points. The Lakers starting bench combined for 24 points in tonight's loss, one less than Blazers Damian Lillard, who finished with 25 points.
Anthony Davis was ruled out during the first quarter of tonight's game, not because of a right thumb sprain which he suffered against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, which made him a game-time decision on Saturday, but because of a "stomach illness," according to the Lakers. After the game, it was reported from head coach Frank Vogel that Davis woke up with a stomach bug and threw up four times before tonight's game. In the seven minutes he played tonight's Davis finished with 2 points on 1–5 (20%) shooting and 3 rebounds.
With LeBron James, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, Trevor Ariza all out with injuries, the departure of Anthony Davis leaving in the first quarter of tonight's loss crippled the Laker's chances in tonight's matchup. The Lakers' looked at the 3rd member of their big three, Russell Westbrook, to help them pull a win. Russell Westbrook had one of his worst shooting nights of the season, hitting just one shot all night on 1 for 13 (8%) from the floor.
Dwight Howard was one of a few solid performances in tonight's blowout, finishing 11 points on 3 of 6 shooting in the paint and 7 boards. Howard was very vocal after the game explaining how there are "no excuses" for tonight, further saying:
"We can't make no excuses. That's not Laker basketball. No excuses. If we want to win, we have to be humble. We're not the championship team we want to be right now."
Carmelo Anthony was one of three Lakers to score over 10 points in tonight's loss, finishing with 12 points on 4 for 14 shooting from the field, highlighting how it was to find a consistent rhythm from the floor. After the game, Melo gave the media his assessment of the loss, saying:
"I think for the most part tonight we didn't play basketball… We didn't play hard."
The Lakers will travel home to face an exciting Charlotte Hornets team on Monday, hoping that Anthony Davis will be good to go with his stomach illness. The Lakers will have their next five games at home, which should benefit them as they have underperformed with a disappointing 5–5 start to the year.