Three months after topping Philadelphia with a buzzer-beater at Summer League, D'Angelo Russell released an eerily similar shot against Portland as the clock hit zeros at Staples Center. But a repeat “ice in my veins” celebration would have to wait, as it was just off the mark and the Trail Blazers went ahead to grab the preseason win in overtime, 109-106.
If that 3-pointer would have gone in, it could've washed away a forgettable night for the young point guard. After scoring 54 points in 56 minutes of back-to-back contests against Denver, he shot just 6-of-21 on Tuesday, including an uncharacteristic 0-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Despite his absence from 3-point distance, head coach Luke Walton nonetheless encouraged Russell to continue firing as long as his looks were open, as many were.
“I appreciate that,” said Russell, who scored 12 points. “My teammates said the same: keep shooting. But I still could have found ways to get guys involved more. I didn't feel like I was trying to force it, but I couldn't pass up and they just wouldn't fall for me.”
On the other end, Russell and his fellow guards had no luck containing Damian Lillard. The two-time All-Star put on a preseason version of his typical excellence against the Lakers, scoring 30 points in 27 minutes by shooting 10-of-17 from the field and 6-of-9 on triples.
Despite resting the fourth quarter and overtime, Lillard showed all he needed to, torching Los Angeles for 13 points in the first quarter and 15 straight for the Blazers in the third.
Walton said that Russell had some good possessions defending Lillard, and that he will get better with time.
“He had some where it looked like he fell asleep a little bit,” Walton said. “But it's Lillard; he's one of the best guards in the league, and you saw some of the 3s he hit eight feet behind the line. He is a player that the more times D'Angelo plays against him, he will start to get familiar with him because he is unique.
“He has that ability that you play defense a certain way your whole life and it is good defense, but with a kid that shoots the ball like that you have to change your mind set on what good defense is and how you want to guard him.”
Russell feels like he will be better equipped to take on challenges like Lillard in a point guard-driven league this season.
As a rookie last year, he said he “wasn't much of a factor” and that games were never labeled as “D'Angelo vs. this guard,” but rather that player against the Lakers.
With Lillard in particular, he has his sights set on solving the problem at hand.
“I'm going to be playing against him for a while, so I got to figure out a way to win some battles,” Russell said.
A photo posted by Lakers Scene (@lakersscene) on Oct 11, 2016 at 7:44pm PDT
Extras The Lakers and Blazers kept it close all night long, tying the score 19 times while exchange the lead as many times.
Julius Randle was nearly the hero, scoring on a layup with 77 seconds left to break a 97-point tie. However, he was pick-pocketed at half-court on the next possession, leading to Pat Connaughton hitting tying free throws after being fouled on the fast break.
Russell missed the final shot of regulation, warranting overtime. L.A. swung first, taking a 103-99 lead on free throws by Yi Jianlian and a Russell layup. But the Lakers would miss all of their final eight shots from the field, and the Trail Blazers got one bucket from five different players to take home the win.
Jordan Clarkson had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but, like Russell, his 3-point attempt was just a bit off.
Despite his turnover, Randle was one of the Lakers' best on the floor, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds for the team's first double-double of the preseason.
Meanwhile, Nick Young supplied solid minutes on both ends, leading the Lakers with 14 points — including four 3-pointers — and some strong defense, including a block on reigning Most Improved Player C.J. McCollum, who shot 2-of-13.
But the Blazers did receive production elsewhere.
While Lillard provided the firepower, Mason Plumlee worked down low, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds, including five of Portland's 13 on the offensive boards.
“That's where we lost the game: loose rebounds, loose balls — we didn't get those,” said Clarkson, who had 15 points. “You can't always shoot really we'll from the field.”
Indeed, the Lakers started 8-of-16 from 3-point range but missed their final 12 attempts.
Notes Luol Deng returned to the starting lineup after missing two games due to a bruised left knee. He notched seven points and three rebounds in 14 minutes. … Marcelo Huertas added 11 points and five assists in 18 minutes. … A crowd of 15,290 was in attendance at Staples Center.
A photo posted by Lakers Scene (@lakersscene) on Oct 11, 2016 at 8:36pm PDT
