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The Daily Mauling 10.28.31

Kansas athletics dominate the Daily Mauling: football coach Lance Leipold faces mounting pressure as the Jayhawks slump to 3‑4, with a 24‑21 Orange Bowl win in 2008 highlighted by Todd Reesing’s heroics. A recent victory over Baylor offers a spark, but the defense still ranks last in Big 12 rush defense (166.9 yards allowed). Freshmen Tyran Stokes and Taylen Kinney provide bright spots, while basketball endures exhibition losses to Louisville and Duke. The post also notes ESPN’s deep dive on the Lakers’ sale and a feature on Oregon’s long‑time fan Ron McCullough.

Lakers loss to Blazers unearths inevitable defensive problems

The Lakers’ 136-129 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 27 exposes a looming defensive crisis. Despite Luka Dončić’s 41 points, 9 assists, Austin Reaves’ 26 and Sandro Mamukelashvili’s 16 off the bench, Los Angeles could not stop Portland’s perimeter barrage. Damian Lillard (21), Deni Avdija (23), Ja Morant (23) and Jrue Holiday (22) led the Blazers, while Lakers rookie Walker Kessler admits he must be more aggressive defending the ball. Coach JJ Redick cites “personnel discipline” and consistent stops as urgent fixes before the playoffs.

Ja Morant, Damian Lillard giving Blazers a different kind of finish

Three games into the Ja Morant‑Damian Lillard duo, the Trail Blazers are already showing a new late‑game edge. Portland rocks to a 3‑0 start with a 136‑129 win over the Lakers, where Morant’s 23 points on 9‑of‑13 shooting and Lillard’s deep threes sealed the final 15‑point burst. Coach Micah Nori’s emphasis on clutch lineups is paying off—Portland has gone 2‑0 in close games after a 21‑22 finish last season. The partnership isn’t flawless, but the early success suggests the Blazers can finally finish strong.

JJ Redick calls out Lakers’ perimeter defense after loss to Trail Blazers

Lakers head coach JJ Redick lashes out at his squad’s perimeter play after a 136‑129 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 28, 2026. Redick blames defensive breakdowns and sloppy execution, noting the team surrendered 18 three‑pointers and lacked discipline. He warns that immediate improvements are essential to avoid further setbacks, marking the defeat as the Lakers’ first of the season.

Player Grades: Lakers vs. Blazers

The Lakers fall 136-129 to the Portland Trail Blazers, snapping any hopes of an 82‑0 start. Luka Dončić lights up with 41 points, 9 assists and earns an A+ grade, while Austin Reaves adds 26 points for an A‑ rating. However defensive lapses and poor shooting hurt Los Angeles, as the team shoots 39.5% from three and allows Portland to hit 59% overall. Bench contributors receive mixed marks: Sandro Mamukelashvili (A‑, 17 points) shines, whereas Matisse Thybulle (D) and Jake LaRavia (F) struggle. The piece breaks down each player's grade after the fourth game of a largely new roster.

Lakers’ first loss exposes the limits of simply outscoring everybody

Luka Doncic’s 41 points and Austin Reaves’ 26 weren’t enough as the Lakers fall 136-129 to the Portland Trail Blazers, snapping a three‑game winning streak. Coach JJ Redick warned the Blazers, bolstered by Damian Lillard and Ja Morant, would test LA’s defense, and the fourth quarter proved decisive with Portland outscoring the Lakers 34-26. Morant and Deni Avdija each poured in 23, Jrue Holiday 22 and Lillard 21, sealing the win with a clutch three‑pointer under a minute left. The loss underscores that scoring alone won’t carry the Lakers; defensive improvements are now the priority.

Damian Lillard’s clutch 3 seals Trail Blazers’ win over Lakers

The Portland Trail Blazers stay unbeaten after a 136-129 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 28, 2026. Damian Lillard clinches the win with a go‑ahead three‑pointer and 12 points, while Ja Morant and Deni Avdija each add 23. Luka Doncic leads the Lakers with 41 points and nine assists, but the late shot by Lillard with 43 seconds left secures the victory.

Trail Blazers Shoot Their Way to Victory Over Lakers

The Portland Trail Blazers edged the Los Angeles Lakers 136-129 on Oct. 27 at Crypto.com Arena, snapping a streak of inconsistent play. Ja Morant led Portland with 23 points on 9‑13 shooting and four assists, while Luka Dončić sparked the Lakers before fading in the fourth quarter. Despite scoring 70% in the first half and hitting numerous threes, the Blazers struggled defensively, allowing 22 fast‑break points and fouling heavily. Coach Micah Nori rotated Deni Avdija to the second unit, where his offense shined despite middling defense. The high‑scoring win puts Portland in the national spotlight, though defensive lapses remain a concern.

Lakers vs. Clippers Preview: Battle of LA, round two

The Lakers (3-1) host the Clippers (1-2) on Oct. 28 at the Intuit Dome in the second leg of the Battle of LA. After a 28‑point outing from Austin Reaves and a narrow win last week, L.A. seeks revenge, targeting the Lakers' weak rebounding with aggressive paint play from Brook Lopez and Darius Garland. Luka Dončić must bounce back from a tough performance, while Walker Kessler looks to improve on his 22‑point, 10‑for‑14 showing. Both teams play back‑to‑back; the Clippers sit without Bradley Beal and others, while the Lakers delay their injury report until tip‑off. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. PT on Spectrum Sportsnet.

Blazers’ Damian Lillard gets his ‘Dame Time’ moment in Lakers stunner

Veteran Damian Lillard, 36, delivers a clutch fourth three in the final 45 seconds to seal Portland's 136-129 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 28, 2026. The shot, set up by Deni Avdija and preceded by a Ja Morant bucket, lifts the Blazers to 3‑0 season start. Lillard finishes with 21 points on 45.2% shooting, while Avdija (23), Morant (23) and Jrue Holiday (22) each hit the 20‑point mark. The performance underscores Portland’s early offensive firepower and solid defense despite a backcourt size mismatch.

Damian Lillard, Blazers weather Luka Doncic’s 41 points to take down Lakers

Damian Lillard fuels Portland's comeback, hitting a clutch three with 43 seconds left as the Trail Blazers snap Los Angeles' unbeaten streak, winning 136-129 at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 28, 2026. Lillard finishes with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Deni Avdija (23 pts, 9 ast) and Ja Morant (23 pts) lead a balanced offense. Despite Luka Doncic's 41-point, nine‑assist effort for the Lakers, Portland shoots 59% (18‑of‑36 from three) and forces 15 turnovers for 19 points. The Blazers improve to 3‑0, while the Lakers fall to 3‑1.

Blazers Absorb 40 from Doncic, Beat Lakers

The Portland Trail Blazers snap to a 3-0 start with a 136-129 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 27, 2026. Ja Morant and Deni Avdija each pour in 23 points, while Jrue Holiday (22) and Damian Lillard (21) add firepower. Luka Doncic scores a game‑high 41 for the Lakers, supported by Austin Reaves’ 26, but the Blazers capitalize on his bench time and a late surge of threes to seal the victory, highlighted by Lillard’s clutch shot with 43 seconds left. The contest features heavy fouling—four players hit four fouls each—and unusual officiating, including four defensive three‑second calls and three flopping technicals. Portland’s free‑throw shooting lags at 63.4% versus L.A.’s 73.3%, yet the win lands them at home against Memphis on Oct. 29.

3 trades Lakers must make after Anthony Edwards, Jalen Williams injuries open up the West

With Anthony Edwards and Jalen Williams sidelined, the Western Conference opens up, and the Lakers, 3‑1 early this season, see an opportunity to surge. The piece outlines three aggressive trade targets: a blockbuster swap for Giannis Antetokounmpo (or a more realistic deal for Bam Adebayo) from the struggling Miami Heat, acquiring Aaron Gordon from Denver to bolster the four‑position, and a third unspecified move involving role players like Quentin Grimes and Jarred Vanderbilt. It details salary‑matching hurdles, the Lakers' lack of future first‑round picks, and why these bold moves could cement Los Angeles as a Western powerhouse.

Lakers fall in shootout with Blazers for first loss of season

The Los Angeles Lakers suffer their first loss of the 2026‑27 season, falling 136‑129 to the Portland Trail Blazers in a high‑scoring shootout on Oct. 27 at Crypto.com Arena. Portland shoots 59% overall and 18‑of‑36 from three, with Damian Lillard sealing the win after a late dagger. Luka Dončić scores 12 points in six minutes, adding several threes, while Austin Reaves and Sandro Mamukelashvili spark the Lakers’ offense. The game features 52 fouls, 71 free‑throw attempts, and multiple lead changes, highlighting weak defenses on both sides. The Blazers out‑rebound the Lakers 34‑21 on the boards and dominate the free‑throw line, ultimately pulling away in the final minutes.

Luka Doncic’s defensive effort in Lakers-Blazers grabs Reggie Miller’s attention

Luka Doncic steps up defensively against Damian Lillard as the Lakers chase a fourth straight win over the Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena. After a crucial stop and a coast‑to‑coast fadeaway, NBC’s Reggie Miller praised Doncic’s effort, urging him to “show me that you are trying on defense.” Doncic finishes with 36 points, nine assists, four rebounds and a block, while Lillard adds 14 points. The Lakers, stocked with defenders like Walker Kessler and Jarred Vanderbilt, still trail in the fourth quarter, highlighting the need for consistent two‑way play from Doncic.

JJ Redick on Luka Doncic Entering ‘Showman Mode’

Luka Doncic lights up Utah with a career‑high 52‑point night, adding 10 assists and eight rebounds in the Dallas Mavericks’ first 50‑point game of the season. After the performance, Lakers coach JJ Redick describes Doncic’s scoring burst as entering a “showman mode” – a flow state that turns the court into a stage. Redick and teammate Austin Reaves say the surge revived the Mavericks after a rough start, shifting momentum and boosting confidence. The article highlights how Doncic’s electrifying play energizes his team and captivates fans, underscoring his status as one of the league’s most dynamic scorers.

“There Are Some Chapters People Haven’t Seen”: Lamar Odom Steps Foot Into a Shocking Career As NBA’s First Ever

In 2026 former two‑time NBA champion Lamar Odom becomes the league’s first player to join OnlyFans, announcing he’ll share risqué content alongside girlfriend Rachel Bradley, also launching her own page. The move follows a tumultuous year that saw Odom arrested for a DUI, a Netflix documentary about his 2015 near‑fatal overdose, and a 30‑day rehab stint. He’s also ventured into crypto with the $ODOM meme coin and even attended a Donald Trump gala. With his personal struggles and new digital pursuits, Odom signals that “some chapters” of his life remain unseen, sparking fresh public interest.