----- Damian Lillard scores a game-high 31 points and Gary Trent Jr. added 28 points on 7-of-11 shooting from three-point range as the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 115-107 Monday night at Staples Center.
After playing just six minutes in Saturday's win over the Houston Rockets, Gary Trent Jr. made a statement Monday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Trent finished the night with 28 points on 7-of-11 shooting from three-point range. Trent powered a Blazers run to start the fourth quarter helping push their advantage to 98-91. Trent scored 11 in the quarter on 4-of-4 shooting including 3-of-3 from downtown.
The Lakers would recapture the lead on an 8-0 run at 99-98, but the Blazers quickly responded with a 10-2 run of their own to put the game away. The Lakers were never closer than five-points the rest of the way.
The Blazers got a major boost on the defensive end of the floor from both Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. Covington worked hard to help limit Anthony Davis to just 14 shots on the night and Jones Jr. was tasked with defending Lebron James.
Terry Stotts was impressed with both.
“LeBron had 29,” Stotts said, “and I thought Derek really did a good job with him and made him work for it. I thought Robert was outstanding guarding Anthony Davis.
“Those two, the defensive component that they gave us, especially in a matchup like tonight, was pretty obvious. Those two, they're great players and I think both Robert and Derek love the challenge of guarding those kind of guys.”
James appeared to be irritated at times with the pressure he faced. Jones Jr. was asked whether or not he was frustrated after the game.
“I picked him up fullcourt every time,” he said. “And that’s what I’m gonna do to everybody. I don’t care if I get under anybody’s skin. That’s what I’m here for. If you get mad, you better not show it because I’m gonna keep doing it.”
Up next- The Blazers will meet the LA Clippers Wednesday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Gary Trent Jr. should never play six minutes in a game ever again.