Reuters – Damian Lillard scored 36 points to lift the Portland Trail Blazers past the Los Angeles Lakers 121-103 at the Moda Center.
CJ McCollum added 28 points and Mason Plumlee collected 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals for the Trail Blazers (20-26), who won for the fifth time in seven games.
At Sleep Train Arena, DeMarcus Cousins scored a career-high 48 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to continue a torrid January, and the Sacramento Kings won their fifth straight with a 108-97 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
At The Q Arena, Pau Gasol had 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls beat the Cavaliers 96-83 on Saturday in Cleveland’s first game under new coach Tyronn Lue.
General manager David Griffin fired David Blatt Friday despite owning the top record in the East. Griffin attributed it to problems in the locker room and a team that was regressing despite piling up victories.
At Smoothie King Centre, Ryan Anderson led a blistering perimeter attack by making a season-high six three-pointers for 23 points, and Anthony Davis added 22 points, to lift the surging New Orleans Pelicans to a 116-99 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
