Lakers drop fifth straight, 108-96, to Portland

The Lakers lost their fifth consecutive game, falling to the Trail Blazers in Portland, 108-96, on Saturday night.

The two-guard attack of the Trail Blazers proved too much, once again, for the Lakers. All-Star point guard Damian Lillard had 29 points and seven assists. C.J. McCollum was right behind him with 28 points, hitting four of seven from behind the arc. Lillard converted five of 11 from three-point range.

Portland also defeated the Lakers on Sunday at Staples Center, behind big nights from Lillard and McCollum.

On Saturday, the Trail Blazers led for almost the entire game and by as many as 17 points. The Lakers were able to trim the deficit to five points in the third quarter, but got no closer as they drop to 2-13 on the season.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 21 points in 34 minutes, but he shot only seven for 20 from the field (35.%). Jordan Clarkson added 19 points while both Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell scored 16.

Portland shot 48.7% from the field, 40% from three-point range (12 of 30) and 76.9% from the line (20 of 26). Only Lillard and McCollum reached double figures in scoring.

The Lakers shot 43.9%, 30.4% (7 of 23) and 73.9% (17 of 23), respectively. While the Lakers won the turnover battle with only nine compared to Portland’s 16, the Trail Blazers dominated the boards, 46-33.

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Kobe Bryant looks to make a play as Portland’s forward Maurice Harkless defends.

  (Steve Dykes / Getty Images)

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Metta World Peace and Portland’s Al-Farouq Aminu scramble for a loose ball on Saturday night.

  (Steve Dykes / Getty Images)

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Brandon Bass drives to the basket against Portland’s Mason Plumlee.

  (Steve Dykes / Getty Images)

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Kobe Bryant takes a shot over Portland’s Damian Lillard in a game in November.

  (Steve Dykes / Getty Images)

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Lakers Coach Byron Scott talks to referee Tyler Ford during Saturday night’s game against Portland.

  (Jeff Haynes / Associated Press)

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Jordan Clarkson tries to get a shot past Portland’s Mason Plumlee.

  (Steve Dykes / Getty Images)

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Jordan Clarkson fouls Portland’s Allen Crabbe on Saturday night.

  (Steve Dykes / Getty Images)

Both Lou Williams and Anthony Brown missed the game in Portland. Williams was with his family after the passing of his grandfather. Brown was on assignment with the D-Fenders (6-2), scoring 18 points to help the Lakers’ D-League affiliate defeat the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (4-2), 126-109.

Clarkson and Russell picked up extra minutes in Williams’ absence, playing 36 and 37 1/2 minutes, respectively.

The Lakers play again Sunday, hosting the Indiana Pacers (10-5) at Staples Center. The Trail Blazers (7-10) next visit the Clippers (8-8) on Monday.

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