The Portland Trail Blazers have run the onslaught and come out alive, capturing their seventh consecutive playoff appearance. After going up to the eighth area in the West following the Seeding Games, they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In matchup by a score of 126-122. Their benefit? A best-of-seven series versus LeBron James and the top-seeded Lakers.
Tuesday, August 18 – 6:00 p.m. PTBlazers injuries: Rodney Hood (out), Trevor Ariza (pulled out), Caleb Swanigan (decided out), Zach Collins (out), Nassir Little (out) Lakers injuries: Rajon Rondo (skeptical), Avery Bradley (decided out) How to see on TV: NBCSNW, TNT (or have a look at Fubo for your streaming needs) Radio: 620 AMSBN Affiliate: Silver Screen and Roll
The Los Angeles Lakers have for their part slouched their way through the Seeding Games. After beginning out the Bubble with a 103-101 win over cross-stadium competitor the Los Angeles Clippers, the Lakers finished with a record of 3-5 and great deals of questions hanging over their heads. You would be absurd to think that the Lakers are there just for the taking, but it promises that the Lakers will require to up their game if they wish to play in the next round.
What to see for
Make your open shots. The Blazers have actually been middling in the Bubble at hitting the open container, shooting 44.7% from the field and 41.4% from deep when the closest defender is at least six feet away. By contrast, the Lakers have been dreadful, shooting just 36.2% from the field and 32.4% from three when large open. Pun intended if this pattern continues the Lakers might be in deep problem. The Blazers feel they can shoot better than they have so far in the Bubble, while the Lakers do not have any choice if they wish to win. The Blazers should get plenty of open appearances due to Damian Lillards gravity, while the Lakers ought to get a lot of open looks since, well, they are playing the Blazers. It ought to be a good night for the people from the Rose City if Portland can hit their open shots at a meaningfully much better rate than Los Angeles hits theirs.
“Logo Lillard” is one option when groups are a bit sluggish to pick him up, while another option he has successfully used is blowing by the slower defender before he knows what struck him, essentially using one protector to choose the other one. The Blazers have likewise discovered success with Dame playing off the ball, utilizing various away-from-the-ball choosing schemes to spring him totally free. Lillards helps have actually also increased, hitting double figures four times in 9 games.
Free throws. The Blazers shot 84.2% in the Bubble, 2nd best among getting involved teams. The Lakers shot 72.4%, 4th worst. Portland shot a higher percentage from the stripe than their opponents in 8 out of 9 games in Orlando up until now, the only exception being throughout the loss to the Clippers. Taking a look at the box ratings, Portland would probably be completing exit interviews right now if they hadnt come through with the giveaways. Free tosses might definitely be a substantial element for the Blazers, however only if they can get to the line at a comparable clip as the Lakers. This aspect could be a problem. Far in the Bubble, the Lakers have actually shot 4.2 more totally free tosses per game than the Blazers.
What theyre saying
Lionel Hollins is not in the Bubble due to health concerns, but that doesnt imply that he isnt doing his task, reports Tania Ganguli of the Los Angels Times:
Last month the NBA figured out that Hollins, among Vogels top assistants, was not permitted to travel to Orlando for health reasons. For the past five weeks, Hollins has coached over texts and video conferences. His days, not filled with going to and from practice, are busy instead with training his boy, working out with his granddaughter and enjoying film at the cooking area table.
This is a hugely crucial season for Anthony Davis, and Christian Rivas of Silver Screen and Roll states that he is prepared to step up:
This season, Davis has actually assisted lead the Los Angeles Lakers climb back to the top of the Western Conference for the very first time in a decade and the expectations for both him and the group are as high as theyve ever been. Davis understands that this year will be various than any other time hes been in the playoffs, and hes looking forward to the obstacle.
Lets end with Charles Curtis of USA Todays For the Win. He states that the Blazers are going to win the series. Check out the post to learn how:
Free throws might definitely be a substantial element for the Blazers, however only if they can get to the line at a similar clip as the Lakers. Far in the Bubble, the Lakers have shot 4.2 more complimentary throws per video game than the Blazers.
But after practically arriving by stating the Los Angeles Lakers should be afraid of the Blazers, lets simply go there: the Blazers are going to beat the Lakers in their first-round series.
The Blazers feel they can shoot better than they have so far in the Bubble, while the Lakers do not have any option if they desire to win. The Blazers ought to get plenty of open appearances due to Damian Lillards gravity, while the Lakers should get plenty of open looks since, well, they are playing the Blazers.
You would be silly to believe that the Lakers are there simply for the taking, however it appears most likely that the Lakers will require to up their game if they want to play in the next round.
