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The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their first game of the season on Tuesday, falling to the Portland Trail Blazers by seven points despite shooting 56.3% from the field and scoring 129 points. Portland countered with 59% shooting of its own, turning a potential shootout into a loss that exposed cracks in the Lakers’ perimeter coverage.
Portland’s win came down to outside shooting. The Blazers connected on seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter alone, and their backcourt trio did the heaviest lifting. Ja Morant, Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday each scored over 20 points, combining for 66 between them and repeatedly finding seams in the Lakers’ defense.
Perimeter defense was supposed to be a strength heading into this season. Coach JJ Redick didn’t hide his frustration after the final buzzer, pointing to a lack of structure rather than effort.
“We just got broken down a lot,” Redick said. “I thought the game plan discipline, KYP (know your personnel), personnel discipline wasn’t where it needs to be, and I think sometimes early in the season these are good learning lessons that we can all apply, both as coaches and as players.”
Early Season Growing Pains
Games like this one carry more value as information than as a warning sign at this stage of the schedule. The Lakers’ defensive scheme needs refinement in specific areas, and chemistry remains a work in progress given that nine new players are on the roster this year.
Tuesday’s contest was also simply a track meet. The Lakers scored 73 points in the first half and 103 through three quarters before cooling off, while the Blazers caught fire exactly when it mattered most. Shooting variance played a role here, not just scheme failure.
Quick Turnaround Ahead
The Lakers won’t have long to dwell on this result. They face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, giving Redick’s group an immediate chance to tighten its defensive discipline and respond before the loss becomes a pattern.
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Follow TipsGG for continued coverage of the Lakers as they work through early-season adjustments and chase consistency on both ends of the floor.