C.J. McCollum scored a career-high 27 points as the Portland Trail Blazers routed the hapless Los Angeles Lakers 107-77 on Friday night, clinching the division title in the process.
Portland claimed the Northwest Division title earlier on Friday thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies’ 100-92 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It is the first time the Trail Blazers have won the division since finishing in a tie with Denver during the 2008-2009 season.
McCollum said the team need to keep extending their leads to make a deep run in the post-season.
“When you get a chance, you are hungry and you want to make your best impression,” McCollum said. “I want to come in and make an impact on the game.”
Damian Lillard and Arron Afflalo had with 20 and 17 points respectively, while LaMarcus Aldridge tallied 14 points and eight rebounds in Portland’s fifth win in their past six contests.
Jordan Clarkson finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Wesley Johnson had 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who have lost four of their last five games. Jeremy Lin had 24 minutes, 47 seconds of game time, scoring four points.
The Lakers will miss the postseason in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1976.
In other games on Friday, it was:
‧ Nets 114, Raptors 109
‧ Magic 97, Timberwolves 84
‧ Spurs 123, Nuggets 93
‧ Wizards 101, Knicks 87
‧ Bulls 88, Pistons 82
‧ Pacers 93, Hornets 74
‧ Bucks 110, Celtics 101
‧ Pelicans 101, Kings 95
Additional reporting by staff writer
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Roger Federer on Wednesday said that staying involved with tennis in retirement helped him avoid feeling “like an alien” ahead of this week’s Laver Cup in Berlin. Federer, who helped create the tournament, retired at the Laver Cup in London two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador. “I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old told reporters. “I feel I ripped the Band-Aid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there,” he said. “I don’t feel like an alien, which is a