LeBron scores 35, Lakers stay atop NBA In-Season Tournament group

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara during the first half of an NBA basketball In-Season Tournament game in Portland, Ore., Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

PORTLAND, Oregon — LeBron James matched his season-high with 35 points and the Los Angeles Lakers handed the Portland Trail Blazers their sixth straight loss with a 107-95 victory in an In-Season Tournament game on Friday night.

Anthony Davis added 16 points and 14 rebounds, and the Lakers moved to 3-0 in Group A with the victory that counts toward the regular season.

Jerami Grant had 24 points for Portland. With the loss, the Blazers fell to 1-2 in the tournament and were eliminated from a shot at winning their group.

The Lakers led by as many as 17 points in the final quarter. Rui Hachimura’s 3-pointer put Los Angeles in front 97-83 with just over seven minutes left, sending fans to the exits.

James was listed as questionable with a calf contusion but he started and played with a sleeve on his calf, finishing with nine assists.

LeBron James was in attack mode all night, tying a season-high 35 points and leading the Lakers to an impressive 3-0 West Group A start! 🏆

🔥 35 PTS
🔥 5 3PM
🔥 9 AST pic.twitter.com/GDAJDHtv29

— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2023

Los Angeles kept its starters in until the end, because point differential matters in the group standings.

The Lakers led by as many as 13 points in the first quarter and took a 30-23 lead into the second. The stretched it to 54-40 on D’Angelo Russell’s 3-pointer before going into halftime in front 60-50.

Jerami Grant’s 3-pointer and free throw for Portland closed the gap to 63-60 early in the third. The Blazers got as close as 68-67 on Skylar Mays’ 3.

Russell finished with 14 points for the Lakers, who were coming off a 125-110 loss to the Sacramento Kings that snapped a three-game winning streak.

Deandre Ayton had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Blazers.

While trying to rebuild after the departure of All-Star Damian Lillard in the offseason, Portland has been beset by injuries, with starting guard Anfernee Simons (right thumb), rookie Scoot Henderson (right ankle) and Malcolm Brogdon (left hamstring) all absent.

“We’re so young. A lot of times even our walkthroughs and shootarounds, we spend most of our time talking about our concepts or things we want to do, and a little time on the Lakers or the Grizzlies or whoever,′ coach Chauncy Billups said. ”We’re still learning so much.”

UP NEXT

Lakers: Host the Houston Rockets on Sunday.

Trail Blazers: Host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.