Blazers hand Lakers second straight loss

This was not the start the Los Angeles Lakers envisioned.

The talent-laden Lakers have dropped two straight to open the season - their opener at home against the Dallas Mavericks followed by a 116-106 thumping by the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

To make matters worse, two-time MVP Steve Nash, brought in by the Lakers in the offseason along with six-time All-Star Dwight Howard, was injured late in the first half against Portland.