Preview: Lakers bring five-game losing streak to Portland

The Lakers (9-36) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (19-26) for a 7:30 p.m. game Saturday night at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore.

After losing to the San Antonio Spurs, 108-95, on Friday, the Lakers will play their second game in as many days, hoping to break a five-game losing streak.

The Trail Blazers are still within reach of the eighth-place Sacramento Kings (19-23) in the Western Conference standings.

Lakers rookie Larry Nance Jr. has sat out recent games because of a sore knee. Portland, meanwhile is at full strength.

Key matchup

Portland point guard Damian Lillard is one the NBA’s top scorers, averaging 24.3 points a game while shooting 41.5% from the field.

Lillard is also strong playmaker, averaging 7.0 assists a game.

It’s his outside shooting that always seems to burn the Lakers. So far this season, Lillard is shooting 37.3% from behind the three-point arc.

The Lakers will match up with Jordan Clarkson against Lillard, although Lou Williams and D’Angelo Russell might draw the assignment as well during the game.

X-factor

Guard C.J. McCollum has also emerged as a big-time scorer for the Trail Balzers, averaging 20.7 points a game.

In addition to McCollum’s 39.2% shooting from three-point range, the Blazers also have swingmen Allen Crabbe (39.3%) and Gerald Henderson (38.1%) shooting well from long distance.

Portland forwards Al-Farouq Aminu (35.3%) and Meyers Leonard (34.9%) are also outside threats.

The Lakers’ best regular three-point shooter is Williams (33.3%), who is actually matched by Nance (albeit with a low volume of attempts). Russell is shooting 32.4% from long range, Clarkson 31.7% and Kobe Bryant just 25%.

1/13

Lakers forward Brandon Bass looks to pass out of the double-team defense of Spurs forward Rasual Butler, left, and guard Manu Ginobili.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

2/13

Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell sets up the offense while pressured by Spurs guard Manu Ginobili.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

3/13

Spurs forward Tim Duncan looks for a shot over a trio of Lakers, including Kobe Bryant.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

4/13

Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) works against the double-team defense of Spurs forward Boris Diaw, center, and guard Danny Green during a game Jan. 22.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

5/13

Spurs forward David West lofts a shot over Lakers forward Julius Randle.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

6/13

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant loses control of the ball as he’s pressured by Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

7/13

Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson tries to block a shot by Spurs guard Jonathon Simmons.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

8/13

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant tries to score against Spurs defenders (from left) Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

9/13

Lakers forward Anthony Brown reaches for a loose ball after tumbling to the court.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

10/13

Lakers forward Julius Randle has his shot contested by Spurs forward Tim Duncan.

  (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

11/13

Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) and Spurs forward Tim Duncan battle for a loose ball.

  (Paul Buck / EPA)

12/13

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant goes to work against Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard on Jan. 22, 2016.

  (Paul Buck / EPA)

13/13

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant looks to pass after driving to the basket against Spurs forwards Kawhi Leonard, left, and Boris Diaw during a Jan. 22 game at Staples Center.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Nick Young (35.4%) and Metta World Peace (37%) have not played a part recently in the team’s regular rotation.

Outlook

The Lakers rarely seem to win in Portland and are less likely to do so on the second night of back-to-back games.

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