Los Angeles @ Portland preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 6, 2019 ) L.A. Lakers 136, Portland 113

The Los Angeles Lakers hope to have LeBron James on the floor as they attempt to halt a season-worst four-game losing streak on Saturday night when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers. James aggravated a groin injury during the Lakers' 111-106 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas Day and is hoping the time off will allow the injury to heal.

James has recently been bothered by the groin injury and a thoracic muscle strain in his back and the latter injury caused him to miss Sunday's 128-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets. "I'm always around the clock with my body, getting my treatment," James told reporters of the possibility of playing against Portland. "If I'm feeling great, I'll be in the lineup. If I'm feeling well, I'll be in the lineup." The Trail Blazers have lost back-to-back games after enjoying a season-long four-game winning streak and they trailed by 20 points after three quarters in Thursday's 121-115 loss to the host Utah Jazz. “It was just a tough game," Portland star point guard Damian Lillard said afterward. "I thought (the Jazz) were the better team, but I was really proud of how we fought. Having adversity in pretty much every quarter, we just kept fighting."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), NBCS Northwest (Portland)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (24-7): Forward Kyle Kuzma scored 25 points in the loss to the Clippers and he is averaging 20.5 points in two games since returning from an ankle injury. "This is the Kuz that we envisioned throughout the summer and since I’ve been here," Los Angeles first-year coach Frank Vogel told reporters. "Someone that can just fill it up. He’s working hard on the defensive end, he gives us a long body on that end that plays extremely hard and changes the energy of the group. He was terrific (against the Clippers) and it’s good to see him get going." Kuzma was slowed at the start of the season by a foot injury that caused him to miss the first four contests.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (14-18): Lillard made 7-of-13 3-point attempts while scoring 34 points and recording eight assists against Utah, one game after missing all 10 of his long-range shots in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Shooting guard CJ McCollum added 25 points for Portland to reach 20 or more in his sixth straight game and is averaging 27 points during the stretch. Center Hassan Whiteside struggled with just eight points and six rebounds against the Jazz after averaging 19.5 boards over the previous four contests.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Lakers PF Anthony Davis recorded 39 points and James added 31 as the Lakers posted a 136-113 win in Portland on Dec. 6 for their third win in the past four meetings after the Trail Blazers won the previous 16 matchups.

2. Los Angeles SG Danny Green is averaging 5.5 points in the past two games after scoring 21 in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 19.

3. Portland PF Carmelo Anthony has no blocks in the past two games after rejecting 10 in his previous four appearances.

PREDICTION: Lakers 108, Trail Blazers 106