Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers, Game 2 Western Conference. The Lakers couldn’t do anything in the first game of this round against the Trail Blazers. Portland’s dominance was evident from the first quarter. And the Lakers could barely win a quarter in the entire game. For now, the Blazers are expected to continue to dominate the round. The Lakers’ strategy does not work against the power of the Trail Blazers with a leader like Damian Lillard.
Portland Trail Blazers: Good start.
The Trail Blazers did what it took to win the first game. The team won both halves without complications. In the first half, the Trail Blazers only lost the second quarter 31-21. But after that quarter, the Trail Blazers didn’t give up any more space to the Lakers. The defense allowed 93 points. The strength of the Trail Blazers in the first game was the attack with penetration for 47.5% FG points.
The team is scoring an average of 114.8 points per game, 41.97 FG points, 12.76 three pointers, 80.4% free throw shots, 20.44 assists and 28.57 points per quarters. The defense in the regular season allows up to 115.9 points per game, but for now during the playoffs that number is below 100.
Damian Lillard was the top player in the first game of this round with 34 points, 5 assists, 46.2% three pointers and 42.9% FG points. McCollum scored 21 points, Carmelo 11 and Nurkic 16. From the bench with Trent, Whiteside and Hezonja the team scored 14 points. The work was intense from the first minute of play.
Los Angeles Lakers: We just started.
The Lakers suffered what many predicted for the first game. The Lakers were dominated by the Trail Blazers. The team lost the first half 56-57, and after that the team was expected to play a little better in the second half. But the defense of the Trail Blazers and the poor attack of the Lakers prevented the team from scoring more than a hundred points. The game ended 100-93.
The first game of the round the Lakers were outscored in field goal points, Portland scored up to 47.5% and the Lakers only 37.6%. Those points are very important to keep the pace of the game. In the regular season the Lakers were scoring an average of 113.2 points, but for now they are under 100 points. The defense allows 107.5 points per game. The team needs to work on defense more than just scoring. It’s about hold the game from the first quarter.
LeBron James was not the top scorer for the Lakers in the first game. James barely scored 23 points, but did an important job with the assists with a total of 16 assists during the first game. Additionally, Davis scored 28 points with 70.6% free throw shots and 33% FG points. Kuzma led the bench with 14 points as he has done all season.
My Free Pick & Prediction for Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers 08/18/2020 is: take the Portland Trail Blazers +7 (SPREAD).
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