LOS ANGELES – Although Pau Gasol was caught by surprise when Steve Blake lobbed a pass off the backboard to him during a two-on-nobody fast break, the 7-foot Spaniard still snagged it and slammed it home with gusto.
Not much is getting past Gasol or the Los Angeles Lakers – and the two-time defending champions’ opponents haven’t stood much of a chance during a sublime start to the season.
Gasol had 20 points, 14 rebounds and ten assists while completing his fourth career triple-double by the third quarter, and the Lakers easily improved to 7-0 for the fifth time in franchise history with a 121-96 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.
Gasol clinched his first triple-double since February 17, 2009, with an assist on Ron Artest’s basket with 3:10 left in the third quarter.
He sheepishly acknowledged knowing how many assists he needed to hit the mark, but effusively praised his teammates for making his feat possible in another formidable win for the streaking champs.
“We’ve been through so many battles, and we’re still growing as a team,” Gasol said. “Everybody is growing up together.”
In Oklahoma, Ray Allen scored 19 points and Boston’s bench helped prevent a big lead from slipping away in the fourth quarter as the Celtics opened a four-game road trip with a win over the Thunder.
Glen Davis had three foul line jumpers during a 15-6 push by the Celtics after their 22-point lead had been cut to 73-67 early in the fourth quarter.
Allen’s three-pointer from the left wing restored the advantage to 88-71 with 7:04 remaining, and Boston hung on.
Kevin Durant scored 34 points and Russell Westbrook had 16 points and ten assists to lead Oklahoma City. (AP)
