Lakers can’t keep up with Trail Blazers in loss 102-86

Portland Trail Blazers 102 - Lakers 86 (end of regulation)

The Lakers hit the NBA All-Star break with their sixth-straight loss, falling to the Trail Blazers in Portland 16 points on Wednesday night.

All-Star Kobe Bryant will represent the team in New York in spirit, sidelined for the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Against the Blazers, the Lakers competed through a half of basketball but were badly out-paced in the third quarter. The Lakers closed out the final period well (21-14), but Portland’s lead was never in danger.

Wesley Matthews was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Six Blazers scored in double figures including LaMarcus Aldridge (18), Damian Lillard (15), Meyers Leonard (11), Robin Lopez, C.J. McCollum (10) and Matthews.

Portland shot 40.7% from the field and 22 of 23 from the line (95.7%). The Lakers didn’t miss a free throw, hitting all 11 of their attempts but shot just 36.6% from the floor.

Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 17 points. Wayne Ellington scored 16 points with eight rebounds. Robert Sacre added 12.

Nick Young left the game near the end of the third quarter with a foot injury (peroneal tendon strain), after scoring nine points.

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 13-40. They’ll return to the court a week from Friday, after the All-Star break, at home against the Brooklyn Nets (21-31). The Blazers next visit the Utah Jazz (19-34), also a week from Friday.

Trail Blazers 88 - Lakers 65 (end of third quarter)

The Blazers pulled away in the third quarter, out-scoring the Lakers 34 to 19, taking a 23-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Nick Young seemed to suffer an ankle sprain or leg injury late in the period.

Wesley Matthews was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. LaMarcus Aldridge tallied a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Damian Lillard added 15 points with eight assists as the Blazers shot 46.9% from the field.

The Lakers were led by Wayne Ellington with 11. Robert Sacre and Jordan Clarkson both scored 10.

As a team, the Lakers shot just 35.2%. Both teams continued a perfect streak at the line, with 21 makes for the Blazers and 11 for the Lakers.

Trail Blazers 54 - Lakers 46 (halftime)

The Lakers and Blazers both scored 22 points in the second-quarter, finishing the half with the Blazers still up eight.

Damian Lillard led all scorers with 11 points along with three assists. Wesley Matthews scored 10 while LaMarcus Aldridge, shooting just two for 11, added eight points with seven rebounds.

Portland shot 42.5% from the field while the Lakers hit just 37.5%. Both teams were perfect from the line, the Blazers on 15 attempts while the Lakers converted their seven.

Wayne Ellington scored nine for the Lakers. Ryan Kelly contributed eight, while Nick Young heated up for seven in one of his best offensive stretches in a long time.

Trail Blazers 32 - Lakers 24 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers were within two points of the Blazers with 4 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter, but Portland pushed ahead to end the period up eight.

Damian Lillard led all scorers with nine points. Wesley Matthews and LaMarcus Aldridge both added eight, while the Blazers shot 50.0% from the field.

Robert Sacre was high-man for the Lakers with six points. Ryan Kelly and Wayne Ellington scorer five apiece.

The Lakers shot 39.1% from the field, managing to get through the quarter without a turnover. Portland had three miscues.

Pregame

The Lakers (13-39) play one final game before the All-Star break, visiting the Portland Trail Blazers (35-17) on Wednesday night.

The Blazers are one of the top teams in the Western Conference, the Lakers are not.

Jordan Hill (hip) won’t play, along with Kobe Bryant (shoulder), Julius Randle (knee) and Steve Nash (back), who are all done for the season.

Chris Kaman (ankle) and Joel Freeland (shoulder) are out for the Trail Blazers.

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