1st Round Matchup: Blazers vs. Lakers

[DC23]

I'll go Lakers in 5. I don't think the Blazers matchup well with LBJ and AD.

[HarlemHeat37]

Hm, this will be interesting. Portland is one of the worst defensive teams to ever make the playoffs, Lebron and Davis should live at the rim all series, but the rest of the Lakers offense is pretty bad. Still, anything more than 5 would be embarrassing.

[Will Hunting]

Hm, this will be interesting. Portland is one of the worst defensive teams to ever make the playoffs, Lebron and Davis should live at the rim all series, but the rest of the Lakers offense is pretty bad. Still, anything more than 5 would be embarrassing.
Does having Nurkic back help that at all? I have no idea since I haven’t paid much attention to them, I’m honestly surprised that signing Melo wasn’t a complete train wreck for them.

[daslicer]

This will go 7 games.

[140]

If lakers dont sweep its a choke tbh

[Robz4000]

Lakers in 6 or 7 unless they've been sleepwalking in the bubble so far.

[LkrFan]

Blazers in 6. Too much Dame Time :cry

[Spurtacular]

Blazers in 6. Too much Dame Time :cry

Would be less embarrassing than what's waiting for them in subsequent rounds, tbh.

[Robz4000]

:lol if Laker fans join the 8 club

[Rummpd]

Rooting for historic upset but LAL in 6

[lefty]

Lakers with the upset, win the series in 5

[horseshue]

With nurk back i expect better defence at the rim. Still dame gonna choke, and blazers have no bench. By the time, dame time arrives, they are gonna be 20 pts down, if starters not going to play all 48 min.

[JamStone]

Dame fully capable of winning one or two games by himself. But realistically, Lakers should win the series in 5.

Portland’s advantage of going big neutralized since Lakers go big as well. And now with the Lakers two main defensive PGs out, they can put size and length on both Dame and CJ. Caruso has good size for a guard as well. They’d also be wise to use Horton-Tucker off the bench ahead of JR.

[LkrFan]

Dame fully capable of winning one or two games by himself. But realistically, Lakers should win the series in 5.

Portland’s advantage of going big neutralized since Lakers go big as well. And now with the Lakers two main defensive PGs out, they can put size and length on both Dame and CJ. Caruso has good size for a guard as well. They’d also be wise to use Horton-Tucker off the bench ahead of JR.

Avery Bradley and ____ are out? BTW, Caruso is the 2nd best perimeter defender on the Lakers believe it or not.

[TDfan2007]

Lakers in 5, 6 if AD plays inconsistently. He's the key to this series imo (and their whole playoff run)

[Kyle_Kuzma]

https://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bill-russell-bored-at-game-7.gif

[JamStone]

Avery Bradley and ____ are out? BTW, Caruso is the 2nd best perimeter defender on the Lakers believe it or not.

Actually, I could argue Caruso is the best guard defender on the Lakers. He’s very good at staying in front of people. Longer and more athletic than many expect. And perhaps most importantly, he plays hard, plays through the whistle.

I don’t know why I wrote “defensive” PGs. I just meant main point guards. Bradley and Rondo, even though Bradley really isn’t a PG. Oh, that’s why I said defensive. Bradley really isn’t a PG, but defends the PG position. My point was if Bradley and Rondo were available, they get their share of minutes at PG. Without either, both who are smaller guards, the Lakers can put size and length on Dame and CJ. And while that doesn’t mean they’ll stop them or slow them down, I like having size and length on Dame on CJ, rather than not having it.

[Kyle_Kuzma]

midget couldn’t beat AD and rondo a couple years ago and now the blazers supposed to give AD and Lebron work? y’all make me laugh.

blazers have a 7 man rotation.

worst defense in the league

sweep

[benefactor]

Is Charles drunk?:lol

[JohnnyMax]

The Lakers haven’t been in the playoffs in so long I almost forgot about the NBLA ref effect.

[paperboy77]

2020 might redeem itself... if both LA teams get knocked out.

Blazers seem to be matching a washed up Lakers team. The media can love them all they want. They're like the older Spurs teams everyone criticized for being old. Piss off Lakers!

The Mavs shoulda put out the Blazers if not for that punk-ass backstabbing Morris twin.

Portland, 4-2. Mavs, 4-2.

[MultiTroll]

Clean block by Marshmallow? Sure looked good. Kuzma LOL.

[DAF86]

:lol if Laker fans join the 8 club

It wouldn't be just joining the 8 club, it would be a 1st seed losing to a sub 500 team. The biggest choke of all-time.

[Chris Fall]

Refs hate Dwight Howard lol

[Bynumite]

Danny Green absolutely sucks. It's gotta be the worst contract in the league right now.

[benefactor]

Great game tbh

[Spurtacular]

SMH Chris Webber explaining why Lebron lowering the shoulder on his drives is a defensive foul.

Sadly, we all know it's getting called too.

[benefactor]

That shot by Lillard:wow

[MultiTroll]

LOLakers.

[benefactor]

Game over

lol Lakers

[Robz4000]

L:lolkers

[Spurtacular]

The Lakers not even fouling with 30 seconds? Gutless worms.

[phxspurfan]

:lol BSPN slurping stat whore LeBroom as he loses to the 8 seed

[DAF86]

LDN with that inside job. A real Spur for life :cry.

[D-Wade]

I'm just waiting for Lebron's "best teammate ever" to show up. Shit at least yell at Caruso like they used to yell at Rio. Then again, the optics.

[HarlemHeat37]

KCP was 0-9:lol

As many of us have said all season, the Lakers aren't a contender. Lebron is too old to carry a team nowadays, Davis is soft and they don't have anything else. Caruso isn't even an NBA player and he's playing key minutes in a playoff game:lmao

They should still beat this mediocre Portland team, but Houston embarrasses them next round.

[Kawhitstorm]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/ed/b3/56edb334d22c8e747d1a6526da272d76.jpg

[Clipper Nation]

:lol Imagine what Laker fans would be saying if Paul George shot 8-23 against one of the league's shittiest defenses. AD is softer than Charmin. Even with all that ref help he was getting, he still played like shit.

[DAF86]

KCP was 0-9:lol

As many of us have said all season, the Lakers aren't a contender. Lebron is too old to carry a team nowadays, Davis is soft and they don't have anything else. Caruso isn't even an NBA player and he's playing key minutes in a playoff game:lmao

They should still beat Portland, but Houston embarrasses them next round.

As with anything regarding the NBA nowadays, it all comes down to the three point land. The Lakers don't have a single reliable weapon from that distance on their entire roster.

[Kawhitstorm]

:lol Imagine what Laker fans would be saying if Paul George shot 8-23 against one of the league's shittiest defenses. AD is softer than Charmin. Even with all that ref help he was getting, he still played like shit.

Got outplayed by Whiteside in crunch time :lmao

[Kyle_Kuzma]

y’all strange.

it’s 1 freaking game :lol

wake me up if they win 2.

foh lol

[HarlemHeat37]

As with anything regarding the NBA nowadays it all comes down to the three point land. The Lakers don't have a single reliable weapon from that distance on their entire roster.

Lakers are a franchise that has never actually built a team by doing anything analytical or being ahead of the game. Their only strength is attracting stars, they don't make intelligent moves.

Their key free agent signing was a washed Danny Green who just wanted to cash in on one last contact after winning a title:lol

[DAF86]

y’all strange.

it’s 1 freaking game :lol

wake me up if they win 2.

foh lol

What did you do with that broom son?

[Kawhitstorm]

y’all strange.

it’s 1 freaking game :lol

wake me up if they win 2.

foh lol
https://media1.tenor.com/images/53716c41a31909708be36625c8a11518/tenor.gif?itemid=10604362
https://tenor.com/SEQg.gifhttps://tenor.com/SEQg.gif

[td4mvp2k]

:cry rondo :cry

[DAF86]

Seriously though, the Lakers just need to double Lillard everytime he crosses half court. With the injury to McCollum there isn't a single guy on the Blazers that can do shit without Lillard grabbing their hand.

[Kawhitstorm]

Seriously though, the Lakers just need to double Lillard everytime he crosses half court. With the injury to McCollum there isn't a single guy on the Blazers that can do shit without Lillard grabbing their hand.

Yeah, the same CJ that closed out the Grizz & outplayed Davis in the 2nd half? It's not like the olden days, Nurkic can actually make plays 4-vs-3 along w/ Melo/Trent being able to make 3s unlike Harkless/Aminu.

[Arcadian]

They have a legitimate Big 3 with Lillard, McCollum, and Nurkic

[Bill Walton Saga]

Seriously though, the Lakers just need to double Lillard everytime he crosses half court. With the injury to McCollum there isn't a single guy on the Blazers that can do shit without Lillard grabbing their hand.

No more alcohol for this guy.

[DAF86]

Yeah, the same CJ that closed out the Grizz & outplayed Davis in the 2nd half? It's not like the olden days, Nurkic can actually make plays 4-vs-3 along w/ Melo/Trent being able to make 3s unlike Harkless/Aminu.

You still have to take that chance, imho. Lillard is just on another level right now. He's the best player of the series. If the Lakers don't do something special to slow him down, he's gonna win the series by himself.

[Kawhitstorm]

You still have to take than chance, imho. Lillard is just on another level right now. He's the best player of the series. If the Lakers don't do something special to slow him down, he's gonna win the series by himself.

Grizzlies literally employed that strategy which is why he took the 3 from the logo since that was the cleanest shot he got for a majority of the game. The Lakers issue is actually they can't score even on the Blazers.:lol

[DAF86]

Grizzlies literally employed that strategy which is why he took the 3 from the logo since that was the cleanest shot he got for a majority of the game.

Well, if I'm the Lakers, I'm dying with Lillard taking 3's from the logo, tbh.

[Bill Walton Saga]

KCP was 0-9:lol

As many of us have said all season, the Lakers aren't a contender. Lebron is too old to carry a team nowadays, Davis is soft and they don't have anything else. Caruso isn't even an NBA player and he's playing key minutes in a playoff game:lmao

They should still beat this mediocre Portland team, but Houston embarrasses them next round.

The Trail Blazers aren't mediocre. They went to the WC Finals last year. They struggled with new players and injuries this season. They were given an opportunity and took advantage of it. And they actually played pretty good defense tonight.

[Clipper Nation]

:lol Avery Bradley and Rondo are trending on Twitter right now. Laker fans apparently think they would have magically turned into Curry and Klay for the playoffs.

[Kawhitstorm]

:lol Avery Bradley and Rondo are trending on Twitter right now. Laker fans apparently think they would have magically turned into Curry and Klay for the playoffs.

Dweebs touting Caruso/Kuzman as "defensive stoppers" was cute & all before shit got real.:toast

[DAF86]

The Trail Blazers aren't mediocre. They went to the WC Finals last year. They struggled with new players and injuries this season. They were given an opportunity and took advantage of it. And they actually played pretty good defense tonight.

Dude, they are 4 games below 500. They might not be as bad as that record, but they are indeed mediocre. No real good team stays below 500 for an entire season, no matter how many injuries they have to deal with. They have the ultimate equilazer though: a Dame Lilliard on the run of his life.

[DAF86]

Dweebs touting Caruso/Kuzman as "defensive stoppers" was cute & all before shit got real.:toast

Defense wasn't the problem on this game. Their problem was the same as all season: shooting. Neither Rondo nor Bradley would have helped with that.

[Killakobe81]

Props to tling as Blazers ...
Yes our shootibg sucked but Bron gotta be more aggressive and AD just needs to be better.

[Clipper Nation]

Soft:

1295944095387410433

[ducks]

Maybe if lakers forcused on basketball they might win not
Social issues

[phxspurfan]

To everybody saying Blazers are mediocre, they just got Nurkic back and he’s averaging all star center numbers. Add a healthy Whiteside and team player Melo to the mix, and they have a chance to win this series. Terrible matchup for the Lakers in the first round. LeBron has always had cake walk warm up first rounds in the East and everyone knew going to the West would be hell for him. It’s showing.

[DC23]

It's tough when KCP and Danny Green decide not to make wide open 3s. You're missing a good 3 point shooter, ball-handler, and defender in Bradley too. Do the Lakers consider working in Smith and/or Waiters? Too much pressure on LBJ without Rondo's ball handling and playmaking. Caruso was useless tonight.

[DAF86]

The no-brainer adjustment for Vogel right now is to insert Kuzma to the lineup in place of McGee, to add some shooting and spacing. If LDN and KCP continue to suck, Waiters and/or Smith might need to start seeing some minutes too. He needs to have three shooters around Lebron and AD at all times.

[daslicer]

They have a legitimate Big 3 with Lillard, McCollum, and Nurkic

Melo surprisingly has been a good 4th option for them. This guy is finally playing team ball for the first time in his career.

[tlongII]

We are a bad matchup for the Lakers. We have great guards and a couple of 7 foot shot blockers at center. Our strengths are their weaknesses.

[Killakobe81]

We are a bad matchup for the Lakers. We have great guards and a couple of 7 foot shot blockers at center. Our strengths are their weaknesses.

Facts. That being said Lebron and AD gotta be better yes our shooting sucked ...
but if born and AD play up to superstar status they win still ...like dame did to get Blazers in it.

Lakers have no shot if they aren't dominant. Expecting/relying on anyone other than Kuzma to score at a high clip is crazy.

[tlongII]

Facts. That being said Lebron and AD gotta be better yes our shooting sucked ...
but if born and AD play up to superstar status they win still ...like dame did to get Blazers in it.

Lakers have no shot if they aren't dominant. Expecting/relying on anyone other than Kuzma to score at a high clip is crazy.

We didn’t shoot well at all. We can play much better than that and I think we will.

[LkrFan]

AD right now is 2008 Pau. In reg season he's a stat stuffer. Vs physical teams with bigs that have height/size to matchup with him - he shies away from contact and settles for jumpers. He soft.

We need him to be 2009 and 2010 MVPAU or this might be over real quick.

Blazers been in playoff mode in the bubble (8-2) while the Lakers rested on their laurels from pre TRUMPVID-19 success (3-6 including last night).

Tomorrow is a must win. Normally I wouldn't say that with Bron and AD, but AD never won anything and Bron 45 years old. Teams aren't gonna cower when they see the Lakers like one would think.

Need to see Waiters get some burn and sit Danny Green. At least Waiters can make their backcourt defend. It's 5 on 3 with Vogel starting Javelle and Danny Green.

Lakers must win game 2. Let's see what they're made of.

[RC_Drunkford]

midget couldn’t beat AD and rondo a couple years ago and now the blazers supposed to give AD and Lebron work? y’all make me laugh.

blazers have a 7 man rotation.

worst defense in the league

sweep

say that again :lmao :lmao

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Lebron looked dead legged AF in that 4th Q. Barely beating McCollum for 2 jump balls and that late three was so flat lmao


Lakers not having a home crowd can cost them this series. LeBron dragged his right foot and they got a reversal charge call, Lebron shoulders into defender, gets a block call, Dwight Howard literally hip checks the ball handler onto his ass and they call a travel. Lakers were getting mad favorable calls in the lifeless Bubble :lol And it still wasn't enough Yellow and Purple fixins to hand them a win.

I hope they burn like a mf

[LaMarcus Bryant]

All hail Lord Daniel Green, Spur Legend, and Holocaust Selfie Survivor, helping to implode LeBr:lolns legacy and the TOSB lakers franchise

[Dirks_Finale]

Lebron is more than an athlete. :lol

Allowed talking head Laura Ingraham to occupy space in his head, rent free. :lol


Maybe if lakers forcused on basketball they might win not
Social issues

[Seventyniner]

It has been 3015 days since the last Lakers playoff win. Props to Covid-19 for pushing the streak over 3k. Just thought I'd drop that in here.

[EmantheSpursFan]

Last time the lakers were in the playoffs they were swept by the spurs.. glad to see they are keeping that spirit alive in the bubble.

[MultiTroll]

Lakers must win game 2. Let's see what they're made of.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UwkSxZla0P0/maxresdefault.jpg
Is Alex flashing a gang sign?

[Capt Bringdown]

That unibrow kid shit the bed in the second half. He need to raise his game to playoff intensity or Lake show's gonna get swept.

[lefty]

Lebron is more than an athlete. :lol

Allowed talking head Laura Ingraham to occupy space in his head, rent free. :lol

I used to like him until his comment on the China situation

smh

[Kyle_Kuzma]

wish i can fast forward this series and play the clippers already.


all this back and forth with irrelevant spurs fans with vendetta is childs play :lol...

remember, y’all beneath us. make the playoffs and maybe we can start a dialogue

:hat

[Kyle_Kuzma]

say that again :lmao :lmao
https://niketalk.com/attachments/aca86384-ae92-4de8-858c-bf67f0685f91-gif.2633448/


dame really woke up the beast.


lakers needed a little spanking to get them competitive juices flowing.

lebron aint kobe, heck, AD aint pau. these IG thots not playing with chips on them shoulder.

[Play Boban]

wish i can fast forward this series and play the clippers already.


all this back and forth with irrelevant spurs fans with vendetta is childs play :lol...

remember, y’all beneath us. make the playoffs and maybe we can start a dialogue

:hat
0 playoff wins in 8 years :lmao

[Kawhitstorm]

wish i can fast forward this series and play the clippers already.


all this back and forth with irrelevant spurs fans with vendetta is childs play :lol...

remember, y’all beneath us. make the playoffs and maybe we can start a dialogue

:hat

Knicks have won more playoffs games than the Lakers since 2012 :lmao:lmao

[Robz4000]

Knicks have won more playoffs games than the Lakers since 2012 :lmao:lmao

:lmao

[HarlemHeat37]

If your fans are missing Avery Bradley and begging for Dion Waiters and Jr Smith to get minutes, then you were never a contender:lol

Clippers 70% chance to win the West
Houston 25%
Nuggets/Lakers 4%
Rest 1%

[Rummpd]

GO BLAZERS!

[lefty]

GO BLAZERS!
But Thkip

[Dirks_Finale]

Wasn't it better when players took Jordan's position of render unto Caeser what is Caeser's...Republicans buy shoes so I am staying out of it?

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I tend to like it when people keep their political opinions to themselves unless it's a proper venue. If Lebron wants to go to Politicon to debate Ben Shapiro, I am all for it. Besides that scenario, I don't care to see it or hear about it.



I used to like him until his comment on the China situation

smh

[Dirks_Finale]

If a team wins an NBA bubble title -- but there is nobody watching it, did it actually happen?


If your fans are missing Avery Bradley and begging for Dion Waiters and Jr Smith to get minutes, then you were never a contender:lol

Clippers 70% chance to win the West
Houston 25%
Nuggets/Lakers 4%
Rest 1%

[Rummpd]

Dame shame if the Blazers lose.

[Thebesteva]

SJWBron will never ring tbh...he's too focused on his agendas and the election. Kobe and Jordan never wasted their energy on that non sense (during their championship run). Also Bradley is desperately needed at the moment

[140]

Lakers have the self proclaimed GOAT so theyre still the title favourites as ive been saying since the start of the season tbh. anything less is a huge choke

[SuperCam]

If your fans are missing Avery Bradley and begging for Dion Waiters and Jr Smith to get minutes, then you were never a contender:lol

Clippers 70% chance to win the West
Houston 25%
Nuggets/Lakers 4%
Rest 1%

Cripples going to be lucky to escape Dallas in less than 7 :lol

[LkrFan]

Lineup change incoming?
https://twitter.com/ShowtimeForum/status/1296286446060412928?s=19

Hope so. Javelle is useless vs the tlongs

[lefty]

Theny need to get physical with CJ, since he isn'T 100% healthy

Not sure if the ref will allow that though

[LkrFan]

Theny need to get physical with CJ, since he isn'T 100% healthy

Not sure if the ref will allow that though

Our 2nd most physical perimeter player (Dion Waiters) played 2 minutes. SMH at Vogel

I been saying, with Javelle McGee and Danny Green stinking it up, it's essentially 3 on 5. Dame and CJ actually rest on defense. Dion can change that.

[JamStone]

Feels like the Lakers need to get up big in order to beat them, almost blow them out. If the Blazers are within say 10-12 points down the stretch with like 4 minutes to go, I’d still give the Blazers the edge to win the game. Lakers don’t have the explosive scoring closers Portland does. I thought a huge moment in game 1 was LeBron and Davis missing four consecutive free throws towards the end.

As bad as Danny has been, I think KCP has been worse. He’s been terrible. As unpredictable and volatile as Waiters can be, at least he’s a legitimate scoring thread who can create his own shot instead of being a stand still, kickout shooter. KCP sucks.

[Neo.]

KCP is absolute trash. He needs to be a bench player, playing against other bench players.

They need to bench him and McGee, and start Kuz and Waiters. They would have 4 legit scoring threats who can create their own shot, and 5 guys who are threats of hitting 3s. Spacing would be a bit better, and they can attack mismatches much better, and not worry about KCP shooting something he's incapable of hitting, or McGee being a non-factor except for alley oops and putbacks. The extra speed will help with rotations and containing Dame and CJ, not to mention the lack of mental retardation on defensive rotations that KCP and McGee present. Not that Kuz or Waiters are super high IQ, but they aren't as bad as the other two

[Nivek_ogre]

Danny Green forgot how to play basketball. Watching him is painful.

[Rummpd]

Blazers need a run but right now look out matched

[MultiTroll]

^ Blazers look content to be tied 1-1

Lakers definitely more sense of urgency. Which of course they better have.

[Capt Bringdown]

Nurkic looks stoned af.

[DAF86]

What a boring ass double header.

[tlongII]

Non-issue

[Capt Bringdown]

Down goes Lillard! That's what you get for playing a starter in a blowout.

[140]

Non-issue

[Kyle_Kuzma]

https://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bill-russell-bored-at-game-7.gif

[Bynumite]

https://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gif
https://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gif
https://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gif

[Robz4000]

Welp, this is prolly over in 5 now if Lillard is limited.

[phxspurfan]

LA gets lucky again

[LkrFan]

https://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gif
https://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gif
https://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gifhttps://i.imgur.com/6QQ9U.gif

:rollin :lmao :rollin

[LkrFan]

LA gets lucky again

They were already beating the dog shit outta the Blazers when Dame got hurt.

[LkrFan]

https://twitter.com/UnderTheBussPod/status/1296790450141982722?s=19

[phxspurfan]

They were already beating the dog shit outta the Blazers when Dame got hurt.

didn't watch, but apparently Dame and CJ had an off shooting night. Happens when you've been playing playoff intensity games for 3 weeks straight. They score so easily I bet they bounce back to play like themselves. Either way they stole home court :lol

[LkrFan]

didn't watch, but apparently Dame and CJ had an off shooting night. Happens when you've been playing playoff intensity games for 3 weeks straight. They score so easily I bet they bounce back to play like themselves. Either way they stole home court :lol

Lakers had the 3rd ranked defensive rating all year and are a defensive team. That had more to do with them "having an off night" like you say. Matter of fact:
https://twitter.com/TheLakersReview/status/1296738041088765952?s=19

So give my boys some credit. At least from these first two games, the Lakers defense showed up. Offense is another story :lol

And what homecourt? There's no homecourt for anybody. -15 points son :lol

[JamStone]

Lakers deserve credit defensively. But the difference was Davis showed up in a big way and KCP who is usually useless hit shots.

I’ll reiterate what I said after game 1. I think the Lakers need to build a big lead in order to beat Portland. If it’s late and close, it feels like the Blazers have the edge of closing out a close game. Lakers play like game 2 and not even make it close, they’re much better off than hoping they can out punch them in the final minutes.

[daslicer]

Lakers deserve credit defensively. But the difference was Davis showed up in a big way and KCP who is usually useless hit shots.

I’ll reiterate what I said after game 1. I think the Lakers need to build a big lead in order to beat Portland. If it’s late and close, it feels like the Blazers have the edge of closing out a close game. Lakers play like game 2 and not even make it close, they’re much better off than hoping they can out punch them in the final minutes.

Agreed. The Lakers need to be up by double digits by start of the 4th quarter. If the are only up by single digits that Portland will have the edge in the 4th quarter and a higher chance of winning the game.

[LkrFan]

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1296894561642352640?s=19

Great defensive effort.
This next game is pivotal. Dame is injured. Lakers should make him go left all night and be physical with him. They got another game tomorrow. Will he have time to adjust to his injury? We'll see.

[phxspurfan]

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1296894561642352640?s=19

Great defensive effort.
This next game is pivotal. Dame is injured. Lakers should make him go left all night and be physical with him. They got another game tomorrow. Will he have time to adjust to his injury? We'll see.

Next game is CJs game tbh

[Rummpd]

How can anyone root for a team led by LeRoid and DaQuit? Recognize their truly great talents but please go any other team and especially the Blazers, and hopefully they will?

[Bill Walton Saga]

My Trail Blazers getting killed on the boards. Too many second chance ops for the Lakers.

[Rummpd]

Go Blazers!

[JamStone]

JR Smith should not get any meaningful minutes in the playoffs.

[TimDunkem]

Danny Green forgot how to play basketball. Watching him is painful.
Dude hasn't even worked on his game since 2014, tbh.

[JamStone]

Melo in a time machine tonite.

Make free throws and this is like a 20 point game right now.

[Capt Bringdown]

When Caruso gets effective minutes against you, you know your season is over.
Lakers with the backdoor sweep - book it!

[R. DeMurre]

Portland's such an oddly constructed team. Dame can't defend, McCollum is undersized, Melo didn't defend even in his prime, and plus they have Nurkic and Whiteside on the floor at the same time. It's like Portland hasn't witnessed anything that has happened in the NBA for the past decade.

[Capt Bringdown]

Portland's such an oddly constructed team. Dame can't defend, McCollum is undersized, Melo didn't defend even in his prime, and plus they have Nurkic and Whiteside on the floor at the same time. It's like Portland hasn't witnessed anything that has happened in the NBA for the past decade.

They imagine Dame's half-court bombs will carry them forward. Not going to happen again. Somewhere Skip Bayless is lighting up a massive blunt right about now.

[JamStone]

Trevor Ariza and Zach Collins would change their rotations and add line-up flexibility to match up better defensively and play differently with more perimeter shooting or small ball.

Without them, rotation options are limited. They’ve used both Mario Hezonja and Wenyen Gabriel in spot backup minutes at multiple positions. Not good.

[Dancelot]

I mean I expected the Lakers to win and I want them to take out nephew but 41 free throws tonight?!

[Spurtacular]

Carmelo Anthony is a proven loser. Would never bet on him.

[Killakobe81]

Everyone was saying we couldnt win a close game but Dame and CJ cooled down after a red hot start. KCP was solid and even Caruso/Green hit some shots.
We need fasionova Kuz to wake up and things will be fine. Rox apparently play defense now we will neeed Kuz more in round 2.

Non issue, lol

[LkrFan]

I mean I expected the Lakers to win and I want them to take out nephew but 41 free throws tonight?!

Lakers have a size and length advantage. Whenever they pound it down low with Bron or AD - and get fouled - you should expect more freebies. If anything I thought they should have gotten more because the Blazers were hacking. Refs swallowed their whistles to keep it close.

I heard Stotts presser complaining about the freebie discrepancy. Should a team that pounds other teams down low when they have a size advantage get more freebies than a jump shot shooting team? Yes.

[LkrFan]

Everyone was saying we couldnt win a close game but Dame and CJ cooled down after a red hot start. KCP was solid and even Caruso/Green hit some shots.
We need fasionova Kuz to wake up and things will be fine. Rox apparently play defense now we will neeed Kuz more in round 2.

Non issue, lol

:lol

[JamStone]

Despite putting up good numbers, Dame definitely did not look the same yesterday. And I don’t blame the finger. That didn’t seem to be much of a problem. And I don’t think it was just the defense played on him. I think he just looked spent in general, especially down the stretch. Props to the Lakers and especially LeBron who showed he’s still one of the best in the game. But that was not Dame’s best.

[140]

Non-issue

[LkrFan]

Despite putting up good numbers, Dame definitely did not look the same yesterday. And I don’t blame the finger. That didn’t seem to be much of a problem. And I don’t think it was just the defense played on him. I think he just looked spent in general, especially down the stretch. Props to the Lakers and especially LeBron who showed he’s still one of the best in the game. But that was not Dame’s best.

But how can he be spent? He had a 4.5 month layoff. All of the players should be fresh tbh.

[Neo.]

But how can he be spent? He had a 4.5 month layoff. All of the players should be fresh tbh.

let someone say bron looks tired after a long rest and it's a different story somehow lol

but it's a reasonable excuse for anyone and everyone else

[JamStone]

In the restart before the playoffs started:

Lillard 378 minutes in 9 games over 17 days

LeBron 222 minutes in 6 1/2 games over 15 days

The difference in energy expended leading up to the playoffs is pretty clear. The restart was pretty exhausting for a guy like Lillard who was playing 40+ minutes every game like every other day, including one B2B where every game mattered. Not just the minutes logged, but the effort required in order to win those games to get into the playoffs. Some of those Lakers games, LeBron was playing but it didn’t mattered if they won or lost the game and 100% effort was not given.

That’s not LeBron’s fault. The Lakers secured the #1 seed and that’s a perk they were entitled to enjoy. He missed one of the restart games and played only 15 minutes in the last restart game. Lillard and Portland had to play hard each and every restart game just to get into the playoffs.

I’m not offering an excuse for Lillard. I’m just suggesting that’s what I think it is. If anyone in the playoffs is going to be gassed after just a couple weeks, it’s going to be him. I don’t think he’s as fresh as other players in the playoffs.

[Killakobe81]

Lakers have been good in spurts but nothing screams championship level to me ...yet.
Good news only team playing like that consistently is Toronto but thats against a trash Nets team.
I do think we will see maintain their level of defense and clutch shot making Nurse has coached the shit out of that team and lie I Said I would be more scared of Kawhi if he stayed in Toronto then tag teaming with Playoff Pee. I would bet 10k that if Kawhi stayed that Raptors repeat ...Clips have a good shot. Raptors would be flat out favorites.

[Kawhitstorm]

Lakers have been good in spurts but nothing screams championship level to me ...yet.
Good news only team playing like that consistently is Toronto but thats against a trash Nets team.
I do think we will see maintain their level of defense and clutch shot making Nurse has coached the shit out of that team and lie I Said I would be more scared of Kawhi if he stayed in Toronto then tag teaming with Playoff Pee. I would bet 10k that if Kawhi stayed that Raptors repeat ...Clips have a good shot. Raptors would be flat out favorites.

I don’t think any reasonable was arguing that the Cripples were better than last years Raptors but rather if they *cough* Playoff Pee*cough* played up to their potential then they would be a formidable Championship contender. Dude wasn’t even Kiwi’s first choice but that was the best they could get as a wingman.

[Rummpd]

Go Blazers get it done somehow and someway tonight against the talented DaQuit and crew and the highly skewed officiating based on near historic discrepancy last game!

[Rummpd]

Not a good start versus the NBA favs...

[DAF86]

Blazers are a bunch of heartless worms, tbh.

[Rummpd]

Shutout finally over and two in a row but then AD makes tough shot and fouled. This one seems over.

[DAF86]

Without Lillard going supernova the Blazers are a steamy pile of dog shit.

[Rummpd]

AD got a boo boo sad

[Rummpd]

They will likely call it a flagrant just to keep the record FT disparity going.

[Rummpd]

BS to that flagrant of course it goes against the Blazers even announcers see it as unjust.

[phxspurfan]

Wow, just turned the game on and it's already unwatchable due to the refs fixing

[Rummpd]

This is over.

[RD2191]

The Lakers just shot 16 free throws in that 1st quarter.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Everyone knew this entire bubble bull shit was for them to bukkake the 2020 storyline with Kang Kobe 2.0 bull shit

[swrowe78]

Lakers peaking at right time. Seems like it's their year.

[Rummpd]

Things will tighten up - LAL played very well & got all the calls first quarter and Blazers played soft. Another team will step up against the dark side that is LAL.

[phxspurfan]

Guarantee refs are gonna try to let Portland win a game tonight. Too bad they already fucked with them so bad they might be too injured/have quit already

[daslicer]

Blazers should boycott not like they are going to win anyways.

[Arcadian]

Blazers should boycott not like they are going to win anyways.

The league might have to implement boycotting rules. :lol "You only get 3 boycotts a year, and after that it's an automatic Loss."

[phxspurfan]

Lillard left the bubble. Blazers just gave up. Thanks refs for gifting another series to a large market

[daslicer]

Lillard left the bubble. Blazers just gave up. Thanks refs for gifting another series to a large market

One thing the bubble has shown not that we didn't know it is that home court really doesn't matter. It's really how the refs call the games that matter. I know this sounds obvious but for certain teams and players they will always have a bias that favors them which is more important than HCA.

[Rummpd]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.essentiallysports.com/nba-news-playoffs-damian-lillard-injury-update-portland-trail-blazers-superstar-expected-to-make-a-comeback-soon/amp/

But out tonight it will take a miracle for this to go 6

[Rummpd]

Portland hanging tough but soon the dark side that is LAL will likely ruin an hope without DL

[Bynumite]

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