Smith delivers as latest unexpected hero for Lakers

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Smith delivers as latest unexpected hero for Lakers

PORTLAND — Playing without their three leading scorers from last season's final roster, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 123-115 on Monday night behind a combined 57 points from starters Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura and an unexpected 25-point performance from reserve guard Nick Smith Jr.

"I told the guys before the game, 'We have enough in this locker room to win this game,'" Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "My belief level in this group that's here in Portland right now and in uniform right now is as high as it's been."

The Lakers went from 3.5-point favorites earlier Monday at ESPN BET to 10.5-point underdogs after Luka Doncic (injury management coming back from a lower left leg contusion) and Austin Reaves (right groin soreness) were ruled out during the day. Los Angeles was already without LeBron James to begin the season as he recovers from sciatica on the right side of his body.

‘Terrible’ and ‘not ready to go:’ Blazers missing their defensive identity in Lakers loss

As the Portland Trail Blazers processed the surprising reality of their Monday night flop against the Los Angeles Lakers, they took turns in the postgame locker room hopping on the grenade.

Veteran guard Jrue Holiday said the 123-115 defeat was his fault because he shot poorly, committed a couple costly turnovers and didn’t bring enough energy.

Center Donovan Clingan, meanwhile, blamed himself, saying he let too many rebounds slip out of his grasp and didn’t defend his old mentor, Deandre Ayton, well enough.

“I just feel I wasn’t ready to go,” Clingan said.

But, in reality, the Blazers (4-3) suffered a surprising loss because they could not overwhelm a shorthanded team with their trademark defensive will. And part of the reason why — perhaps a large part why — was that Monday marked the first time Portland played without both Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley, the menacing and relentless defensive bench sparkplugs who have embodied the team’s identity.