The Los Angeles Lakers really can't wait for the NBA playoffs to start. Whether it's fatigue, apathy, or simply being outplayed, the Lakers dropped their fourth straight game tonight, 93-86 to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win for Portland.
Gerald Wallace also had a double-double, with 19 points and 13 rebounds for Portland, who won for the first time in four games against the Lakers this season. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 24 points, one of only three Lakers to score in double figures on the night.
The Lakers are now one game up on Dallas for the No. 2 spot with three games remaining, with the Lakers holding the tiebreaker. Their magic number to clinch that spot is two. The Lakers next host Oklahoma City on Sunday at Staples Center.
For more news and information on the Lakers or tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Silver Screen and Roll.