Lakers vs. Trail Blazers Game Preview: Hello darkness, my old friend

The Los Angeles Lakers hit a new franchise-low in a 49-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks, and their prize for a setting a new team record? A trip to Portland to face Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers, a building in which they essentially have no chance to win in. The Trail Blazers are on a 10-game winning streak over the Lakers, dating back to 2013.

That last win for the Lakers was on Apr. 10, 2013, and just-so-happened to be in Portland. It only took a 47-point outing from Kobe Bryant, who played all 48 minutes of that game. We all know what happened the next time he stepped on the court after an insane stretch from the Mamba just to get the Lakers into the playoffs.

At this point each game can only be looked at as another learning experience. It’s a chance for Brandon Ingram to build on a subtle-but-impressive rookie campaign. It’s a chance for Luke Walton to search the depths of his coaching-dom while his team is rock bottom. The further the Lakers have gotten from the starting gates of the season, the further those playoff dreams have gone. 10-10, we hardly knew ye’.

But we’re all still here and in this together, along with our purple and gold pals. Perhaps they defy the odds and beat Lillard in his own building for the first time since 2013. Either way, let’s find a way to enjoy this game.

Time: 7:30 p.m. PT

TV: ESPN