(Los Angeles, CA)  --  The Trail Blazers used a 37-point third quarter to pull away from the Lakers for a 97-81 win at the STAPLES Center.  Damian Lillard led the charge out of halftime scoring 14 of his 22 points.  Portland improved to 35-and-38 with its third straight win.  They're tied with the Nuggets for the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture.  The two teams play tomorrow at the Moda Center.