The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers will battle in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night. The series currently tied at one win apiece. Portland took a close one in the first game, then the Lakers dominated in Game 2.
The Impact of Lillard’s Injury
In the Game 2 loss, Damian Lillard dislocated his finger on defense after a reach-in on Anthony Davis. The Blazers need him at full strength if they want to have a chance in this series.
After the game, Lillard confirmed to reporters that he will be playing in Game 3 no matter what, and that was confirmed by the team on Saturday.
“He’s getting treatments,” head coach Terry Stotts said. “Multiple treatments throughout the day. I believe he’ll be wearing a splint, but he will play.”
For the Blazers to compete with the top-seeded Lakers, Lillard has to be remarkable. He will need to put up 30-plus points and be efficient from the field.
In the Game 1 win, he scored 34 points, but then had only 18 in the Game 2 loss. His productivity will say a lot about who wins this game and the series.
Dominance of Davis
This is the first time that LeBron James might not be the crucial factor in a series. His teammate, Davis, is the guy that Portland has to worry about.
In the Game 2 win, Davis had 31 points and 11 rebounds in only 29 minutes.
“I’ve had some great teammates in my career,” James said. “AD is one of those unicorns, and he does things that some of my other great teammates are not capable of doing.”
James has played with several stars in this league, but Davis is the best teammate he has had. Even when he played with Dwyane Wade, he was on the back end of his career.
Davis is in his prime, and he is a dominating force on the floor. It’s hard seeing any team beat the Lakers if he comes out and plays well.
But Davis does have the tendency to disappear in some games. The Lakers are hoping that doesn’t happen in the playoffs.
Los Angeles played incredible defense in the Game 2 win. If they can keep that up, Portland won’t win another game.
“The care factor on the defensive side of the ball is where it should be for playoffs, to win in the playoffs. We have tremendous, tremendous respect for the offensive firepower of the basketball team that we’re playing,” said head coach Frank Vogel.
Prediction
A lot of this comes down to whether or not Lillard can be effective with his finger. If it limits his offensive game at all, the Blazers don’t have a chance.
For that reason, I’m concerned about the Blazers. Everything needs to be right for them to beat the top seed in the West.
I’m taking the Lakers to cover the spread of -8.