Blazers Embarrass Lakers, Clinch NW Division Title

Saturday, April 04, 2015

Andrew R Tonry, GoLocalPDX Contributor

BLAZERS 107, LAKERS 77

We the Northwest. pic.twitter.com/jT4hlAywsY
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 4, 2015

It was like taking candy from a baby.

The Blazers embarrassed the hapless Lakers in Los Angeles, Friday, 107-77.

The win, coupled with an Oklahoma City loss, clinched the Northwest Division for Portland, guaranteeing them a playoff-seed no lower than fourth (but not necessarily home court advantage). It is Portland's first outright division championship since 1999.

The 30 point margin was Portland's largest ever over the Lakers in Los Angeles. L.A's 77 points were their lowest in history of the two franchises. Portland's win completed a season-sweep, only the Blazers' third over the Lakers in 45 years.

The blowout began only moments after the opening tip.

Damian Lillard came out on fire. He made his first five shots, four of which were three's.

Portland held the Lakers to a scant 12 points in the first period, a season best. By the end of the quarter the Blazers were up by 14 points. They would lead by double-digits the rest of the game.

And while it was Lillard who set the table, C.J. McCollum added the sizzle. Making 10-of-16 attempts from the floor, McCollum had a career-high 27 points.

Portland's domination was so complete that the newly signed Tim Fraizer--called up from the D-League--saw five minutes in his first game as a Blazer. All of Portland's men in uniform saw time on the court, and the starters were afforded plenty of rest. Arron Afflalo played 32 minutes. No other starter cracked the 30-minute mark.

The rest bodes particularly well for the Blazers, as they return home to host the Hornets, Saturday.

And unlike the Lakers, Anthony Davis and the Hornets have not only talent, but something to play for--New Orleans is fighting for its playoff life.

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B	LaMarcus Aldridge Even though he played 29 minutes, Aldridge basically took Friday off. He wasn't going hard and didn't need to. He finished with 14 points and eight boards.
C+	Nicolas Batum A poor shooting performance for Batum, who made 3-of-9 from the floor and only 1-of-5 from deep. But he did pull down 10 rebounds. He finished with seven points, 10 boards and four assists.
B	Robin Lopez Lopez made all four of his shots and blocked two of the Lakers'. He finished with 10 points and four boards in 25 minutes.
B	Arron Afflalo Afflalo was on from distance, but the closer he got to the rim, the more shots rolled out. Still, he made 3-of-5 three's, which is what the Blazers need most from him. He finished with 17 points.
B+	Damian Lillard Lillard was just stunning, early. He drilled his first five shots, four of which were three's. He cooled as the game went on, but it hardly mattered. He finished with 20 points, there rebounds and five assists.
A	CJ McCollum McCollum was great Friday, scoring at will from all over the floor, and even getting to the line. But let's keep things in perspective: he did it against the Lakers--a team with the third worst defense in the league who are very clearly tanking. I don't mean to take too much away from McCollum, but when he does this against a playoff team, it'll come without caveat.