Lakers: Rajon Rando is in the bubble and has returned to minimal practice heading into the playoff, after being out with a fractured left thumb. Coach Frank Vogel stated Rondos “close, however well continue to examine it day by day.”
HISTORY: The teams have actually met 6 times in a first-round series, with the Lakers winning 5. It is the 12th time the groups have fulfilled in the playoffs.
RED HAT: James wore a familiar red had, however instead of the President Trump slogan, the “Great Again” line was crossed out and a line was added that made the hat read: Make America Arrest the Cops who Killed Breonna Taylor.”
UP NEXT
The series continues with Game 2 on Thursday.
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.– After sinking a deep 3-pointer midway through the last quarter, Damian Lillard did a little dance and teammate Jusuf Nurkic indicated his wrist.
This was Dame Time, playoff edition.
” Every video game since weve been here has been a playoff video game. So that prepared us for a game like this,” Lillard stated. “Its just one win. Im happy to be here contending in the playoffs once again, however weve got to carry on to the next one.”
Lillard had 34 points and the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled LeBron James very first playoff appearance for the Los Angeles Lakers with a 100-93 success on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the groups playoff series.
James had 23 points, 17 rebounds and 16 helps, becoming the very first gamer to have as numerous points, rebounds and assists in the playoffs. It was his 24th postseason triple-double and his helps were a profession playoff high.
” We had a number of breakdowns, which you cant have down the stretch, specifically versus a group like Portland,” James said.
Jusuf Nurkic had 16 points and 15 rebounds for Portland, which led by as lots of as 16 points in the very first half. The Lakers, making their very first playoff appearance given that 2013, narrowed the benefit to 57-56 at the break and stayed close the rest of the way.
Trailing 78-75 going into the last duration, the Lakers tied it at 78 on Kyle Kuzmas 3-pointer. James layup offered Los Angeles the lead, and Kuzma added a set of free throws and another layup to extend it to 84-78.
Lillards 3-pointer tied it once again at 87 with 5:46 to go and CJ McCollums floater provided Portland the lead. Lillard stated afterward he danced after his 3 because the tune Blow the Whistle was played in the bubble arena, which Lillard called the “East Oakland anthem.”
After Danny Greens layup tied it again for Los Angeles, Lillard nailed another 3-pointer. Anthony Davis dunk got the Lakers within 95-93, but Gary Trent Jr. made a 3-pointer that put Portland up 98-93 before Nurkic dunked to seal it.
Anthony Davis had 28 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers.
Portland won the very first play-in postseason NBA video game given that 1956, beating Memphis 126-122 on Saturday to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. The Blazers were among three teams with losing total records to make the bubble playoffs. No group listed below.500 had advanced to the postseason since 2015.
Since of inflammation in his left ankle, the Blazers were without forward Zach Collins. Wenyen Gabriel began in his place.
Portland led by 33-17 in the very first half after Nurkics dunk. The Lakers got within 40-38 but couldnt draw in front till Davis dunk off of James pass made it 50-49 with simply over 3 minute left in the half. But it was short-lived.
The video game was delayed for a time in the very first half when the Lakers rim got tilted and needed to be adjusted.
TIP INS
Path Blazers: Lillard had 48 points in Portlands 127-119 success over the Lakers in Los Angeles on Jan. 31. Of course the Lakers were going to attempt to stop the bubble MVP.
” Every video game since weve been here has been a playoff game. Im pleased to be here completing in the playoffs once again, however weve got to move on to the next one.”
Portland won the first play-in postseason NBA video game because 1956, beating Memphis 126-122 on Saturday to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. The Blazers were among three groups with losing overall records to make the bubble playoffs. Trail Blazers: Lillard had 48 points in Portlands 127-119 success over the Lakers in Los Angeles on Jan. 31.
