Lakers get a second crack at Trail Blazers in Portland on Saturday

The Lakers (2-12) have a second chance to defeat the Trail Blazers (6-10) when they visit Portland on Saturday night.

Last Sunday, the Trail Blazers pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 107-93 win at Staples Center, led by 30 points and 13 assists from guard Damian Lillard.

Kobe Bryant scored a team-high 18 points for the Lakers, but missed 16 of 22 shots.

The Lakers have dropped four consecutive games and are now two wins behind the 4-12 New Orleans Pelicans at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Lou Williams will not be with the Lakers on Saturday after the death of his grandfather, the team announced. Rookie Anthony Brown is on assignment with the D-Fenders in Texas, readying to play the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Saturday night.

The Blazers might get forward Meyers Leonard back from a shoulder injury.

Key matchup

The Lakers need to manage the two-guard front of C.J. McCollum and Lillard — which is no easy task.

On Sunday, McCollum scored 19 points on eight-of-13 shooting against the Lakers. Lillard’s 30 points came on 25 shots and 12 made baskets.

The Lakers’ young guard tandem of Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell played well against the Trail Blazers. Clarkson led the team with 19 points, while Russell scored 13 with nine rebounds and six assists.

The duo needs to improve defensively, though, for the Lakers to have a chance for victory Saturday.

With Williams away from the team, Coach Byron Scott might turn to rookie guard Marcelo Huertas or play Nick Young at guard instead of small forward, with Metta World Peace filling in minutes at forward.

X-factor

Portland’s Mason Plumlee had a big game against the Lakers last Sunday, notching a double-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

The Lakers split time at center between Roy Hibbert and Brandon Bass. Hibbert blocked four shots with eight rebounds but scored only seven points on three-of-seven shooting.

Bass also scored seven with three rebounds and a block.

Former Lakers forward/center Ed Davis was also strong for the Blazers, scoring nine points on four-of-five shooting.

Outlook

The Lakers have been off since Tuesday, giving the team plenty of time to prepare for its visit to Portland.

The Trail Blazers are an inconsistent team, typically carried by their guards. With the Lakers still inexperienced defensively in the backcourt, put Portland down for another victory.

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