The Portland Trail Blazers’ combination of second-and third-stringers (plus one starter) who have actually played meaningful minutes this season proved to be far too difficult for the Los Angeles Lakers’ C squad to manage. Portland therefore walked away with a 109-81 victory in their final win of their final game of the 2024-25 season.
They end the year with a 36-46 record, the first time in franchise history they have finished with exactly 36 wins.
Until this game, Portland’s starting lineup – Matisse Thybulle, Dalano Banton, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan – played whopping 12 minutes together over two games. It didn’t matter. The Lakers – getting big minutes from Bronny James and Markieff Morris – fell behind early and never had a chance as Portland floated away like pollen in the breeze on a Portland springtime afternoon.
Blazer of the Game
Dalano Banton. The super sub carved up the Lakers for 23 points, 5 boards, and 7 dimes, and though he shot just 8-22 from the field, it was more than enough tonight.
Stat of the Night
56-42: Portland’s rebounding advantage against the Lakers. With Donovan Clingan, Kris Murray, and Rayan Rupert all getting at least eight boards for Portland, the Lakers had no answer. The home team also tallied a 29-13 offensive rebounding edge against the visiting Lakers.
What We’ll Remember
Nothing. Not trying to be a sourpuss, but there is very little about this game that will matter a week or even a day from now, let alone. The season is over. That’s about what this game boils down to.
Crab Dribbles
- The Blazers jumped out to a 9-0 run to start the game that was snapped by a Markieff Morris jumper.
- Portland started 1-8 from the line and would have been there after the first quarter had Jabari Walker not hit a pair with a fraction of a second remaining.
- Portland took a 58-43 halftime lead in part by grabbing 17 offensive rebounds to the Lakers’ 7.
- Bronny Jame started for the Lakers, playing 37 minutes and earning four points on 2-10 shooting.
- With this win and the Phoenix Suns losing, the Blazers have now tied for 9th-best lottery odds with Phoenix. That means the teams will have virtually identical odds at a top-4 pick, but will flip a coin for one more lottery combination and to see who gets placed 9th and who gets placed 10th.
Up Next
Dave Deckard will mutter some words under his breath, revealing a secret lair underneath the living room where he watched the game. From those chambers, he will place three frogs on an enchanting table, commanding them to dictate summary points from tonight’s game, which he will then transcribe into your extended recap.
