A lot was missing from the Lakers’ 94-86 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers — seemingly both teams’ key starters, to begin with. But here are five takeaways from Wednesday’s exhibition with only one more left until Tuesday’s opener against Houston.
1. With Kobe Bryant sitting out so he could rest, Julius Randle finally looked like the seventh pick in the draft. In a good way. He had 17 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes, and excited the crowd with his numerous coast-to-coast drives.
2. It’s only a matter of time — and full health? — before Jeremy Lin takes over as the Lakers’ starting point guard. He came off the bench and had 13 points and five assists while starter Ronnie Price had eight and three in almost the same number of minutes. Lin, though, had six turnovers. Maybe the two ankle sprains he’s suffered the last two weeks are still bothering him.
3. The Lakers’ other rookie, Jordan Clarkson, didn’t have quite the same impact as Randle but he did beat Allen Crabbe on a crossover to score on a reverse layup. He had six points in 15 minutes, his first game action since sustaining a strained calf almost two weeks ago.
4. Ed Davis continued to add to his shot-blocking résumé, collecting four against Portland. He now has 14, easily outdistancing anybody else on the team.
5. The Lakers still need help from long distance. They made three of 11 from three-point range Wednesday and are now shooting 26.9% from behind the arc in exhibition play. Yuck.
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