Engrave the name “Nick Smith Jr.” on the notorious plaque of Blazer killers who have silenced the Moda Center over the years. Showing shades of Yogi Ferrell in 2017, this may be one of the most out-of-left-field entries on that plaque in some time. But, man, did the third-year guard on a two-way contract burn the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.

On a night where Los Angeles Lakers superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic and key starter Austin Reaves didn’t play, Smith gashed the newly vaunted Blazers defense for 25 points and six assists on 10-15 shooting from the field. Smith hadn’t played in LA’s last two games. He had only appeared in two games this season. Yet, he coming off the bench, he buried the Blazers with back-to-back 3s in the final minutes — the knockout blow in Portla

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