Lakers undone by Trail Blazers’ fourth-quarter rally, 98-94

Damian Lillard was too much for the Lakers to handle as the Trail Blazers’ All-Star point guard helped his team erase a six-point, fourth-quarter deficit and lead Portland to a 98-94 victory on Monday night at the Moda Center.

Lillard scored 16 points during the final 5 minutes 12 seconds, finishing with 39 points in 39 minutes.

The Lakers were competitive on the road against one of the top teams in the Western Conference despite playing without starting guard Kobe Bryant (rest) and forward Wesley Johnson (hip).

Starting Wayne Ellington and Ryan Kelly, the Lakers stayed close through the first half, taking a third-quarter lead through much of the fourth until the Blazers made their run.

Jeremy Lin had a look at a three-pointer to tie the score at 95 with 18.9 seconds left, but his shot fell at least a foot short.

Jordan Hill finished with 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting and 14 rebounds. All 10 Lakers who played in the game scored, including Lin with 14, Ellington 13 and both Ronnie Price and Nick Young with 11.

Price left the game in the third quarter after taking a Thomas Robinson elbow to the face. The veteran guard received 11 stitches in the locker room.

The Lakers shot 42% from the field and 80% (16 of 20) from the free-throw line. Portland shot 39.8% and 87.5% (21-24), respectively.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 points but shot eight of 20 from the field.

The only other Blazer in double figures was Meyers Leonard with 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench in just under 19 minutes.

The Lakers (11-24) next visit the Clippers (23-11) on Wednesday at Staples Center. The Trail Blazers (27-8) host the Miami Heat (15-20) on Thursday.

Lakers 73, Trail Blazers 70 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers caught Portland in the third quarter, extending a lead to as many as 10 points at 69-59.

Portland closed the gap late with an 11-4 run, but the Lakers took a three-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Point guard Damian Lillard leads all scorers with 23 points for the Trail Blazers, who are shooting only 39.7% from the field.

The Lakers, who are shooting 44.3% from the field, have gotten a double-double from Jordan Hill with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Wayne Ellington scored 13 while Ronnie Price has 11 points and eight assists.

Price took a Thomas Robinson elbow to the face when trying to cut off his drive, leaving the game bloody.

Trail Blazers 47, Lakers 45 (halftime)

The Lakers took a three-point lead during the second quarter in Portland, but the Blazers scored 10 in a row to climb back on top by seven.

The Lakers answered with seven points in a row to tie the score at 43, but the Blazers finished the half ahead by two.

Jordan Hill made six of seven shots for 12 points to lead the Lakers, who shot 400% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range.

The Blazers shot 40.9% and 36.4%, respectively.

Neither team took many free throws, with Portland hitting all seven of their tries. The Lakers missed two of their eight free throws.

Portland All-Star guard Damian Lillard leads all scorers with 15 points.

Trail Blazers 24, Lakers 23 (end of first quarter)

Despite playing without Kobe Bryant and Wesley Johnson, the Lakers had a solid first quarter at Portland.

While the team shot only 38.5% from the field, the Lakers trailed by just a single point while holding the Blazers to 38.1% shooting.

Jordan Hill leads the Lakers with eight points on four shots. Nick Young only scored three, but his made shot was from about 40 feet.

Damian Lillard leads the Blazers with nine points.

Wayne Ellington started for Kobe Bryant (rest) and Ryan Kelly got the nod for Wesley Johnson (hip).

Pregame

The Lakers (11-23) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (26-8) on Monday night, without Kobe Bryant who will be sitting out on the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers won on Sunday night at Staples Center, to the Indiana Pacers (13-22), 88-87.

Blazers centers Robin Lopez (hand) and Joel Freeland (shoulder) are out. The Lakers will also play without Wesley Johnson (hip), Steve Nash (back) and Julius Randle (leg).

For an in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers.

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.