NBA: Anthony Davis shines late as Lakers rally to beat Trail Blazers

Anthony Davis scored 19 points and had seven rebounds in the final 12 minutes as the Los Angeles Lakers mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 99-94 on Wednesday. 

Davis, who is averaging 29.3 points in his last three games, finished the game with 30 points and 15 rebounds as the Lakers went back to winning ways at home after a 2-4 record in their Eastern road trip. 

Also Read | NBA: Celtics beat Hornets, overcome Ball’s career-best 38 points

Carmelo Anthony scored 24 points and had eight rebounds, while Russell Westbrook added nine points, 13 assists and ten rebounds for the Lakers.

Norman Powell led the Trail Blazers’ scoring with 30 points, while Anfernee Simons had 19 points. Jusuf Nurkic scored 16 points and added 13 rebounds and four assists. 

The Trail Blazers were leading 75-72 at the end of the third quarter, but the Lakers regained the lead by scoring eight points while the visitors scored just one. The lead extended to five points midway through the quarter but Portland equalised with a three-pointer from Powell to make it 89-all with 2:44 remaining. 

Also Read | NBA: Bulls hold off Magic’s 4th quarter rally for 126-115 win

However, the Lakers pulled away as Davis scored six straight points, leading the hosts to a 95-89 advantage with just 52 seconds remaining. 

Anthony was the Lakers’ offensive catalyst during the first half when he had 18 points, including four 3-pointers.

Powell led the Trail Blazers with 30 points and tied a season high with five 3-pointers. Anfernee Simons added 19 points while Jusuf Nurkic had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Also Read | NBA: Antetokounmpo’s triple-double helps Bucks top Wizards 112-98

Portland has dropped three straight and five of its last six.

A three-point play from Dwight Howard gave the Lakers a 34-21 advantage less than three minutes into the second quarter before the Blazers rallied back with a 17-5 run over a four-minute span. Powell had 12 points in the quarter, including a running layup that tied it at 48 with 2:16 remaining.

The Blazers trailed 54-53 at halftime and didn’t take their first lead until CJ McCollum’s 3-pointer early in the third quarter. Portland extended its lead to 71-65 with 3:44 remaining on a layup by Simmons before the Lakers got within 75-72 at the end of the quarter.

(With Inputs from the Associated Press)