Trail Blazers torch Lakers in fourth quarter for 107-77 victory

The Trail Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers early and, after absorbing a charge led by rookie guard Jordan Clarkson, pulled away late to beat the Lakers, 107-77, on Friday night at Staples Center.

Blazers reserve guard C.J. McCollum scored 27 points in 27 minutes, making 10 of 16 shots from the field. Portland All-Stars Damian Lillard (20 points) and LaMarcus Aldridge (14) both played less than 30 minutes in the victory.

Clarkson matched McCollum with 27 points and finished with seven rebounds and five assists -- but his teammates struggled to make shots for most of the night. The Lakers shot only 37.8% from the field and 35.7% (5 of 14) from three-point range.

The Blazers shot 48.9% and 38.5% (10 of 26), respectively. Portland didn’t miss a free throw in 11 tries, while the Lakers shot 58.8% (10 of 17) from the line.

Wesley Johnson tied a career high with 15 rebounds to go along with 11 points. Tarik Black scored 10 but no other Laker reached double figures.

UCLA product Arron Afflalo added 17 while Robin Lopez scored 10 for the Trail Blazers.

Point guard Dwight Buycks made his season debut after signing a 10-day contract earlier in the day with the Lakers. Despite not practicing with the team, Buycks scored eight points on three-of-four shooting in six minutes.

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 20-55. They’ll next host the Clippers (50-26) at Staples Center on Sunday. The Trail Blazers (49-26) host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-34) on Saturday.

Trail Blazers 74, Lakers 63 (end of third quarter)

Jordan Clarkson continues to keep the Lakers alive against the Trail Blazers, scoring eight of the team’s final 10 points in the third quarter while setting up Tarik Black for a dunk.

The rookie has 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists heading into the fourth quarter.

Damian Lillard leads the Blazers with 20 points, while LaMarcus Aldridge has 14, C.J. McCollum 13 and Arron Afflalo 12.

The Lakers have gotten 11 points and 15 rebounds from Wesley Johnson along with 10 points from Black.

Portland is shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.4% (8 of 22) from three-point range. The Lakers are shooting 40.9% and 27.3% (3 of 11), respectively.

Trail Blazers 52, Lakers 39 (halftime)

After falling behind by as many as 25 points in the second quarter, the Lakers got a boost from Jordan Clarkson, closing to within 13 by the end of the first half.

Clarkson has 18 points, six rebounds and two assists, making eight of 13 from the field, including eight points over the final minute.

Damian Lillard leads the Blazers with 16 points while C.J. McCollum has 11 off the bench.

Reserve Jabari Brown scored eight in 12 minutes for the Lakers, who are shooting only 36.4% from the field.

The Blazers are shooting 46.7% from the field, including 53.3% (8 of 15) from three-point range.

Trail Blazers 26, Lakers 12 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers found it difficult to score against visiting Portland in the first quarter on Friday night, shooting only 25% from the field to score 12 points.

Jordan Clarkson leads the team with six points, while Wesley Johnson, Ryan Kelly and Tarik Black put in two apiece -- that’s it.

Meanwhile, Damian Lillard made five of six shots for 14 points as the Blazers scored 26 on 47.8% shooting.

Four of Lillard’s baskets were from three-point range. Both teams combined for only seven assists in the period.

Pregame

The Lakers (20-54) host the Portland Trail Blazers (48-26) on Friday night at Staples Center.

Portland is still hoping to catch the Clippers (50-26) for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Nick Young is out with a knee injury for the Lakers, while Wayne Ellington (shoulder), Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder) and Julius Randle (knee) are all done for the season.

Dorell Wright (hand) won’t play on Friday, while Wesley Matthews (Achilles) is out for the season.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out check out check out Preview: Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus