Lakers return after Bryant’s death, lose 127-119 to Blazers

Lillard scored 48 points and the Portland Trail Blazers beat Los Angeles 127-119 on Friday night in the Lakers' first game since Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash. Lillard hit seven 3-pointers and added 10 assists and nine rebounds in a phenomenal performance that sent the Blazers to a win over an opponent still dealing with the trauma of the crash five days earlier. We understood this was going to be a difficult one,'' Lakers coach Frank Vogel said.