The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 134-110, with D’Angelo Russell scoring 34 points and LeBron James contributing 28.
This victory brought the Lakers back to a .500 record, following an 18-point loss to Brooklyn in their previous game.
Russell and James collaborated to score the Lakers' first 19 points in the fourth quarter, showcasing an impressive fast break play that involved a fake behind-the-back pass.
Austin Reaves added 15 points, and Anthony Davis contributed 14 points and 14 rebounds. The Lakers' defense played a crucial role in their season-high 35 fastbreak points.
LeBron James and Russell built a substantial 23-point lead, allowing them to comfortably secure the win.
James, who expressed admiration for Russell's assertiveness, emphasized the importance of defense in generating fastbreak points.
Russell, who returned to the starting lineup five games ago, has been focused on complementing James and Davis by being more aggressive.
The Lakers' starters, including James, Davis, and Russell, sat out the final six minutes of the game as they had a commanding lead.
For the Trail Blazers, Malcolm Brogdon led with 23 points and nine assists, while Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant contributed 19 and 17 points, respectively.
The loss ended the Trail Blazers' two-game winning streak. The Lakers' next game is against the Clippers, while the Trail Blazers will face Oklahoma City in their upcoming matchup.