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One day after an overtime tilt against the Utah Jazz, the Portland Trail Blazers played another close game, this time against the Los Angeles Lakers. Behind Moe Harkless and Damian Lillard, the Blazers stayed ahead of Los Angeles through three quarters, before the deep benches took over the contest. Neither team looked stellar, causing the contest to look like the stereotypical "preseason game between two teams expected to miss the playoffs". Without Portland's Dynamic Duo of Lillard and CJ McCollum, the team fell behind late in the fourth. Down 5 with 11 seconds to play, Chris Kaman hit a layup off an offensive rebound, Phil Pressey stole the ball from Los Angeles, and Pat Connaughton swished a 27-footer to tie the game with four seconds left. However, the Blazers botched their defensive assignment, leaving the Lakers open for a dunk and the win.
The Blazers were led by Lillard's 20 points and 6 assists. Moe Harkless, with 15 points and 5 rebounds in a starting role, is living up to his training camp buzz. McCollum and Allen Crabbe each scored in double-figures.
Trail Blazers vs Lakers coverage
The Blazers have a few days off, but will be right back at the Staples Center for their next game, Thursday night against the Clippers. That will conclude preseason, and the Blazers need to have their roster finalized on Saturday.
Here are a few clips from tonight's game:
Noah has all of the moves. https://t.co/nSwRjtbNYS
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 20, 2015
Dame ➡️Moe pic.twitter.com/ZjWFoB1ANk
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 20, 2015
Meyers left wide open for a corner 3, pushes the lead to 64-57 midway through the third. pic.twitter.com/5xZcs3dArg
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 20, 2015
RYAN KELLY https://t.co/c0PRZVT7Z8
— Michael Gallagher (@MikeSGallagher) October 20, 2015