Trail Blazers’ brief winning streak ends as Russell and James fuel Lakers’ 134-110 rout
D’Angelo Russell scored 34 points, LeBron James added 28 and the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Portland Trail Blazers 134-110 on Sunday night to get back to .500.
Austin Reaves scored 15 points, and Anthony Davis had 14 points and 14 rebounds to help the Lakers (22-22) bounce back from an 18-point loss to Brooklyn two nights earlier.
Russell and James combined to score the Lakers’ first 19 points of the fourth.
Russell showed off on one of the Lakers’ season-high 35 fastbreak points. He faked a behind-the-back pass to James who was running alongside, but kept the ball and completed the layin.
“That was dope,” said James, who was shaking his head afterward. “The only way to get fastbreak points is to defend, defend without fouling, and we did that.”
James dunked, hit a 3-pointer and made four free throws as he and Russell built a 23-point lead. Russell returned to the starting lineup five games ago, determined to complement James and Davis by being assertive.
“He’s been aggressive looking for his shot and we continue to try to find him, especially in transition,” James said.