Get your brooms all set, since were headed for a gentlemens sweep. After losing Game 1 of their first-round series versus Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers have definitely annihilated the No. 8 seed. They won Games 2 and 3 by a combined 31 points, and after that ran roughshod over the Blazers for yet another decimation in Game 4, 135-115. When once again blazing a trail was LeBron James who scored 30 points on a blistering 10-of-12 shooting to support 10 helps and six rebounds. Playoff LeBron is back..
Playoff Damian Lillard, nevertheless, is not. He left Game 4 with a knee injury after scoring just 11 points through 2 quarters and some modification. Anthony Davis similarly left the video game, nominally due to back spasms, but provided the massive margin, the Lakers saw no requirement to risk their franchise center in a blowout. Now, they can afford to believe that way. The Lakers are firing on all cylinders, and have every right to believe theyve recovered the mantle of championship favorite. Heres whatever you require to understand about this dominant Laker triumph..
1. In honor of Kobe.
Monday was the first-ever Kobe Bryant day in Southern California. Offered the NBAs normal schedule, the Lakers may never ever have another possibility to honor Bryant on his day again.
They used the “Black Mamba” uniforms that he designed for the video game, but the rest of their homages might not potentially have been planned. The Lakers opened this game on a 24-8 run, putting both of Bryants numbers on the scoreboard at the very same time (naturally, with the Lakers on the top as he would have liked). LeBron James scored 8 points in the very first quarter, and with Davis 16, the two combined to match Bryants 24 yet again. In the end, thanks to his 30 points and 10 helps, James ended up being the very first Laker because Bryant to post consecutive playoff double-doubles. J.R. Smith even tied Bryant on the NBAs all-time postseason 3-point leaderboard..
Its been months because Bryants death in a January helicopter accident, however the Lakers havent forgotten him. They never will. While its far from their only incentive, the Lakers would undoubtedly love to win a champion in Kobes honor, and if tonight is any indicator, they are this seasons group of destiny..
2. The cold streak is over.
The Lakers made 17 3-pointers in this game, shooting 17-of-39 versus the Blazers. The Lakers made 16 3-pointers just five times during the routine season. They had not done so because Feb. 1. It has actually been over six months since the Lakers matched this level of shooting, and its in the nick of time, too..
The Lakers could not strike the broad side of a barn during the seeding video games. When teams double LeBron and Davis, the Laker function players will require to be able to make their shots.
3. Stick a fork in the Blazers.
Their seeding video games were downright inspiring. Their Game 1 victory was sensational.
C.J. McCollum is dealing with a fracture in his lower back. Damian Lillard added a knee injury to his dislocated finger in Game 4. Possibly at full strength the Blazers might have made this fascinating, however the Lakers have such a frustrating health benefit at this point that any notions of competition in between these two teams have now been dismissed.
After losing Game 1 of their first-round series against Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers have actually definitely decimated the No. 8 seed. Anthony Davis likewise left the game, nominally due to back convulsions, however provided the massive margin, the Lakers saw no requirement to risk their franchise center in a blowout. The Lakers opened this video game on a 24-8 run, putting both of Bryants numbers on the scoreboard at the very same time (naturally, with the Lakers on leading as he would have liked). The Lakers made 17 3-pointers in this video game, shooting 17-of-39 against the Blazers. The Lakers couldnt hit the broad side of a barn throughout the seeding games.
