LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James scored 38 points, Max Christie had a career-high 28 and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of Anthony Davis to win 114-106 over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.

James made a season-high seven 3-pointers and Christie added five for the Lakers, who have won six of eight. Austin Reaves contributed 15 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Los Angeles beat Portland for the fifth straight time.

Davis was sidelined for only the second time this season to rest his sprained left ankle, which the star suffered on Christmas. Point guard Gabe Vincent also sat out with a hip injury.

Anfernee Simons scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for the Blazers, who have lost four of six. Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija added 19 points each.

Jaxson Hayes scored four points while starting in Davis’ place after a 15-game injury layoff.

Dorian Finney-Smith scored three points and Shake Milton four in the veterans’ second game for the Lakers since joining Brooklyn.

Takeaways

Trail Blazers: The first and fourth quarters were promising, but they waited too long to get aggressive in the opening game of a five-game road trip after losing 9-3 in December.

Lakers: Christie is proving to be a key player in his third season. He scored in double figures for the fourth time in five games, with excellent 3-and-D results.

Key moment

Portland trailed 99-86 with 6:13 to play, but managed a 14-4 run. James and Christie combined for 11 points down the stretch, capped by James’ seventh three-pointer with 59 seconds left.

Key statistics

14 of 24 – James’ 3-point shot in the last four games. Halfway through this hot stretch he turned 40 years old.

Next

The Lakers host Atlanta on Friday. The Blazers visit Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA