Los Angeles @ Portland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 9, 2019 ) Portland 104, L.A. Lakers 101

The Los Angeles Lakers look to complete a three-game road sweep as well as win for the 13th time in the past 14 games when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. Los Angeles began the trip with a nine-point win in Denver and a 25-point rout of Utah as it continues its torrid start.

The Lakers built an 18-point halftime lead en route to the 121-96 win on Wednesday, a triumph that snapped an eight-game skid in Utah. "We've got a good team," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said afterward. "We have high aspirations. We're trying to keep a game-to-game, stay-in-the-moment focus throughout the year." The Trail Blazers posted a 127-116 home win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday and have won four of their past five games after getting off to a dreadful 5-12 start. Forward Carmelo Anthony is fitting in well and his 20-point effort against the Kings marked the third time he scored 20 or more in eight games since joining Portland.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (19-3): Anthony Davis scored 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting and fellow forward LeBron James added 20 points and 12 assists in the win over Utah that included 13 steals and 12 blocked shots. Forward Kyle Kuzma had four steals and three rejections while Davis and reserve center Dwight Howard each had three blocks and the latter is bullish about the club's potential. "We can accomplish anything we want if we keep our minds on the prize which is the championship," Howard said afterward. "Every night we step on the floor we want to have fun but we have to keep in mind that we're trying to win a championship. We have to have that mentality every time we make a play. Defense, offense, on the bench. Championship mentality."

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (9-13): Shooting guard CJ McCollum poured in 33 points on 14-of-22 shooting against the Kings and has matched his career best with 10 straight 20-point efforts. McCollum, who had a career-best four blocked shots against Sacramento, has three 30-point outings during the stretch and he has rebounded from a relatively average start to the season. "I know who I am as a basketball player. I know what I'm capable of doing," McCollum said afterward. "My body of work proves itself, it shows who I am as a basketball player. So if I have two or three poor games, poor shooting nights, I don't get discouraged because it's an 82-game season."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Lakers won two of last season's final three meetings after losing the previous 15 to the Trail Blazers.

2. Los Angeles backup PG Rajon Rondo scored 15 points against Utah and also achieved season bests of 12 assists and nine rebounds while narrowly missing his 33rd career triple-double.

3. Portland C Hassan Whiteside recorded a career-best seven assists against Sacramento to go with 22 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots.

PREDICTION: Lakers 120, Trail Blazers 109