Get the brooms ready, as we’re heading for a gentleman’s sweep. After losing the first game of their series in the first round to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers completely wiped out the No. 8. They won Games 2 and 3 for a total of 31 points, then stomped on the Blazers for one. further decimation in Game 4, 135-115. Once again in the lead was LeBron James who scored 30 points on a whirlwind 10 for 12 shot to go with 10 assists and six rebounds. Playoff LeBron is back.
Playoff Damian Lillard, however, is not. He left Game 4 with a knee injury after scoring just 11 points in two quarters and a few changes. Likewise, Anthony Davis left the game, nominally due to back spasms, but given the huge margin, the Lakers saw no need to risk their franchise center in a blowout. Right now, they can afford to think this way. The Lakers are shooting at all levels and have every right to believe they’ve claimed the league favorite. Here’s everything you need to know about this dominant Laker victory.
1. In honor of Kobe
Monday was Kobe Bryant’s very first day in Southern California. The deceased legend wore the numbers 8 and 24 during his 20-year career as a Laker, so 8/24 was chosen to commemorate him. Given the typical NBA schedule, the Lakers might not have another chance to honor Bryant on that day. NBA games are usually not played in August, but the Lakers took advantage of the rare opportunity to play for Kobe.
They wore the “Black Mamba” uniforms he designed for the game, but the rest of their tributes could not be planned. The Lakers opened this game with a 24-8 streak, putting both Bryant’s numbers on the board at the same time (of course, with the Lakers at the top as he would have liked). LeBron James scored eight points in the first quarter and with Davis’ 16, the two combined to tie Bryant’s 24 again. Ultimately, thanks to his 30 points and 10 assists, James became the first Laker since Bryant to post consecutive playoff doubles. J.R. Smith even tied Bryant in the NBA all-time 3-point standings after the season.
It has been months since Bryant died in a helicopter crash in January, but the Lakers haven’t forgotten that. They never will. While that’s far from their sole motivator, the Lakers would certainly love to win a championship in honor of Kobe, and if tonight is any indication, they’re the team of fate this season.
2. The cold series is over
The Lakers made 17 trebles in that game, shooting 17 of 39 against the Blazers. The Lakers have made 16 triples just five times during the regular season. They hadn’t done this since February 1. It’s literally been over six months since the Lakers hit that level of shooting, and it’s just in time, too.
The Lakers couldn’t hit the wide side of a barn during plantation games. They weren’t a particularly good shooting team during the regular season, but that weakness tends to be magnified in the playoffs. When the teams overtake LeBron and Davis, Laker’s role players will need to be able to make their shots. Kyle Kuzma has been on fire since stepping into the bubble, but Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green going 5 of 8 of 3 is huge for their confidence. This version of the Lakers, the one that pulls the ground well even with the biggest men on the ground, can be hung on anyone.
3. Put a fork in the blazers
Their ranking games were really inspiring. Their victory in Race 1 was astounding. But now that we have a significant Blazers champion playing against a championship level competition, the verdict is: they can’t call. The Lakers have beaten Portland since Game 1 was upset and, as much as they deserve, Portland’s exhausted roster is doing much of the heavy lifting here.
Zach Collins was left out for the series with a stress fracture. Rodney Hood has been through most of the season. C.J. McCollum suffers from a broken lower back. Damian Lillard added a knee injury to his sprained finger in Game 4. been fired. It is a lag. It will end on Wednesday.
Get the brooms ready, as we’re heading for a gentleman’s sweep. After losing the first game of their series in the first round to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers completely wiped out the No. 8. They won Games 2 and 3 for a total of 31 points, then stomped on the Blazers for one. further decimation in Game 4, 135-115. Once again in the lead was LeBron James who scored 30 points on a whirlwind 10 for 12 shot to go with 10 assists and six rebounds. Playoff LeBron is back.
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Playoff Damian Lillard, however, is not. He left Game 4 with a knee injury after scoring just 11 points in two quarters and a few changes. Likewise, Anthony Davis left the game, nominally due to back spasms, but given the huge margin, the Lakers saw no need to risk their franchise center in a blowout. Right now, they can afford to think this way. The Lakers are shooting at all levels and have every right to believe they’ve claimed the league favorite. Here’s everything you need to know about this dominant Laker victory.
The results of an MRI of Damian Lillard's right knee tonight were inconclusive. Lillard will undergo a second MRI on Tuesday afternoon in Orlando.
— Portland Trail Blazers ()
"At the end of the day, life is much bigger than the game of basketball" –
— Portland Trail Blazers ()
Always
— Los Angeles Lakers ()
HIGHLIGHTS: splashes five of the Lakers’ team playoff-record 17 treys 👌👌👌👌👌
— Los Angeles Lakers ()
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