Lakers Open New Year With Game at Portland

The Lakers, who won 67 games in calendar year 1986, begin the new year tonight with a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, who have been almost unbeatable at home.

The Trail Blazers are only 6-10 on the road, a record that includes a 131-115 loss to the Lakers in the Forum on Dec. 18. But in Memorial Coliseum, the Trail Blazers are 13-2.

A.C. Green, who grew up in Portland and went to Oregon State, had a career-high 26 points against the Trail Blazers in the Lakers’ win two weeks ago.