The Portland Trail Blazers crushed the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-77, to sweep the season series for the first time since the 1993-1994 season.
The Blazers clinched the Northwest division tonight since the Oklahoma City Thunder lost in their game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This marks the first time in 16 years that the Blazers have won the division title.
Damian Lillard, who now has averages of 27.0 points, 6.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals against the Lakers, got the Blazers off to a quick start, scoring 14 points in the first quarter on 4 of 4 shooting from three-point distance.
In the second period, the Blazers extended their lead to 25 points, but Lakers rookie sensation, Jordan Clarkson, put in 12 points to help the Lakers crawl back into the game and go into halftime down 13. Clarkson went 5 for 5 in the period, displaying an array of pull-up mid-range jumpers.
Clarkson and the Lakers continued to strike back in the third period. He added eight more in the third to pull the Lakers within 11 going into the fourth stanza.
Right as the fourth quarter started, the Blazers bench immediately put on a shooting exhibition to stretch their lead to 32, led by C.J. McCollum who finished with a career-high 27 points on 10 of 16 shooting.
Damian Lillard finished the game with 20 points and five assists on 4 of 8 shooting from behind the arc. Arron Afflalo, who has been playing much better of late, pitched in 17 points on 3 of 5 shooting from downtown. LaMarcus Aldridge quietly put in 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Lakers three-point defense was simply awful in the first half, allowing the Blazers to shoot 53.3 percent. The Blazers also ended the game perfect from the line, going 11 for 11.
The Lakers were led by Jordan Clarkson’s 27 points, seven rebounds, and five assists on 12 of 20 shooting. Clarkson was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for March Friday morning. After the game, he talked about what the recognition from the NBA meant to him.
“All those accolades and stuff is cool, but [I] continue to try and get better, keep playing hard and competing, man,” Clarkson said.
Wesley Johnson notched a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. Johnson has been crashing the boards over the last three games, averaging 11.3 rebounds in the last three. The Lakers bench, which is usually terrific, was shut down tonight. Jabari Brown led the bench with 11 points, while newcomer Dwight Buycks added eight, and Ed Davis had two.
The Blazers out-rebounded the Lakers, 53-43, and took excellent care of the ball, committing just eight turnovers.
The Blazers improved to 49-26 on the season, which is fourth best in the West, but they still do not own home court advantage over the Los Angeles Clippers. With the loss, the Lakers slipped to 20-55.
The Blazers will head back home to host the New Orleans Pelicans, who are just a half-game out of the eighth spot in the West, tomorrow night. The Lakers have a home and home (if that even matters) against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday evening and Tuesday night.