The Portland Trail Blazers began Sunday by announcing a multi-year contract extension for coach Chauncey Billups and closed the day with exit interviews.
In between, the Blazers, minus seven key players, won 109-81 over the Los Angeles Lakers, who also sat key players, including Luka Doncic and LeBron James, at the Moda Center.
Dalano Banton led the Blazers with 23 points, Toumani Camara, the lone regular starter in action, scored 14 and Kris Murray added 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Lakers rookie Dalton Kecht scored 27 and James’ son, Bronny James Jr., started and scored four on 2-of-10 shooting.
Out for the Blazers were Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Deni Avdija, Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III.
The Blazers built a 58-43 halftime lead by Banton’s 14 points. They blew the game open after winning the third quarter 31-18.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (36-46) end the season tied with the Phoenix Suns (36-46) for the ninth-worst record in the NBA. The Suns lost 109-98 at Sacramento.
In the NBA lottery on May 12, the Blazers and Suns will split the combined total of the 4.5% chance the ninth-place team has to win the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft and the 3% chance the team with the 10th-worst record has.
The Lakers (50-32) entered the day locked into the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
NEXT UP
Off-season for the Blazers.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
