Blazers Grind Out Game 1 Victory, 100-93, Over Lakers
By Matthew Zimmer
Raise your hand if the second quarter, where the Blazers didn’t score a field goal for seven minutes, almost killed you? Raise your hand if the fourth quarter, where Portland didn’t score a single point for four minutes, nearly gave you a heart attack?
If your hand is still down, I don’t believe you.
The Portland Trail Blazers started the night leading by 16 in the first quarter. Then, they scored just 10 points — all on free throws — in the opening seven minutes of the second frame, before Damian Lillard hit a three.
Somehow, the Blazers still had a lead at halftime, barely 57-56, despite shooting 3-for-19 from the floor in the second.
Portland then did something they haven’t done most of the year; they won the third quarter.
The Blazers weren’t out of the woods yet. The Lakers went on a 14-3 run from the end of the third through the first four and half minutes in the fourth.
Despite the LA run, Portland fought back and finished the game on 19-6 run to close out Game 1, 100-93.
