The LA Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers will face off for the final time this regular season Saturday at Moda Center in Portland. The season series is tied 1-1 after the two teams split the past two games played at the very beginning of the season.
They last met Nov. 3 when the Lakers got a 123-115 win on the road. Former Blazer Deandre Ayton was at his best as he dropped 29 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Lakers who were without their three best players LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Rui Hachimura had a great game as well with 28 points, one steal and a block. Nick Smith Jr. came off the bench for 25 points and shot five of six from the 3-point line.
Deni Avdija led Portland with 33 points, six rebounds, one steal and a block. Shaedon Sharpe chipped in with 23 points and three steals.
The LA Lakers head into Saturday’s game on the back of a surprising 135-117 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. Doncic had 39 points, while James had 29, but it wasn’t enough as an inspired LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 30 points, 11 assists and nine 3-pointers.
The Portland Trail Blazers, meanwhile, are coming off of a 117-101 win against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. Sharpe led the team with 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
The Trail Blazers (20-22, ninth in West) are 3.5-point favorites heading into the game against the Lakers (24-15, sixth in West).
Lakers vs. Trail Blazers Starting Lineups (Jan. 17)
Lakers Starting Lineup and Depth Chart
Luka Doncic is dealing with left groin soreness and will sit out Saturday’s game. Austin Reaves continues to be out with Grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain. Deandre Ayton (knee) and Jaxson Hayes (left hamstring) are questionable. Here’s a look at the Lakers’ possible starting five and depth chart:
| PG | Gabe Vincent | Kobe Bufkin | Nick Smith Jr. |
| SG | Marcus Smart | Gabe Vincent | Dalton Knecht |
| SF | Rui Hachimura | Jake LaRavia | Dalton Knecht |
| PF | LeBron James | Jarred Vanderbilt |
Jake LaRavia
|
| C | Deandre Ayton (DD) | Jaxson Hayes (DD) | Maxi Kleber |
Trail Blazers Starting Lineup and Depth Chart
Besides Damian Lillard (Achilles) who is out for the season, Portland is dealing with a plethora of other injuries as well. Deni Avdija is doubtful for the game with a back injury. Other injury concerns include:
Scoot Henderson – Out with hamstring injury
Matisse Thybulle – Out with knee and thumb injuries
Jerami Grant – Questionable with an Achilles issue
Jrue Holiday – Questionable with a calf issue
Kris Murray – Out with lumbar strain in lower back
With so many injuries, here’s a look at the team that the Trail Blazers could field:
| PG | Jrue Holiday (DD) | Caleb Love | Deni Avdija |
| SG | Toumani Camara | Shaedon Sharpe | Rayan Rupert |
| SF | Deni Avdija (DD) | Toumani Camara | Rayan Rupert |
| PF | Jerami Grant (DD) | Sidy Cissoko |
Duop Reath
|
| C | Donovan Clingan | Robert Williams III | Yang Hansen |
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