The jury is still out on the Los Angeles Lakers, but they are fun to watch. Brandon Ingram is undoubtedly the Lakers' best player, but Lonzo Ball is the straw that stirs the drink. His game is methodical at times in the way he floats around the perimeter. But when he pushes the ball up court and attacks the basket, he breathes life into the Lakers' offense. The infusion of energy often takes a while to manifest each game, but it was missing entirely for Lonzo Ball on Nov. 2 (more on that later).
The Lakers put themselves in an early hole against the Trail Blazers, getting down 41-25 in the opening quarter.
It was the most points the Lakers allowed in a quarter this season. An Evan Turner basket to open the second quarter extended the deficit to 18 points. But the Lakers' second unit slowly chipped away at the lead until the starters returned halfway through the quarter to cut the margin to four by halftime. It was a battle of big men in the first half, with center Brook Lopez scoring 17 points and his counterpart, Jusuf Nurkic, netting 20.
The Lakers took the lead in the third quarter after getting Portland in the bonus with over seven minutes left. But a late-quarter run by the Blazers allowed them to maintain a two-point edge. The game was back-and-forth the entire fourth quarter with both teams trading buckets.
The Lakers tied the game at 110-110 with a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope three-pointer, but Damian Lillard (32 points) answered on the Blazers' next possession, hitting the game-winning shot.
Lakers' Game MVP
Brook Lopez was nearly unstoppable, scoring from all over the floor. His 17 first-half points helped get Los Angeles back in the game.
He hit shots in the paint, from mid-range, and even knocked one down from deep to give the Lakers the lead late in the fourth quarter. Lopez finished with 27 points.
The rest of Lakers' starters
Lonzo Ball was MIA all night. He took only two shots in 28 minutes and rarely attacked the basket or hunted for shots on the perimeter.
It was Ball's worst statistical game of his young career (zero points and four assists), but there was also a lack of energy on offense that was baffling to watch.
Brandon Ingram's length around the basket is like a poor man's Giannis Antetokounmpo (which is no slight), but it's extremely effective as defenders need to play up on him because his mid-range jumper is so deft. The recently turned 20-year old finished with 14 points. Larry Nance Jr (seven points) got into early foul trouble and then left in the third quarter with an injured hand. Along with his big shot late to tie the game, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope chipped in 14 points.
Lakers' bench
Kyle Kuzma made a major impact off the Lakers' bench.
He scored a quick seven points in the first quarter and continued showcasing his shot-making ability to the tune of 22 points on 10-of-17 from the field. Julius Randle (eight points and six rebounds) played well in the first-half as the Lakers got back into the game. Veteran Jordan Clarkson added 14 points and dished out four assists.
