The NBA Playoffs are starting to heat up with Lakers vs Trail Blazers. Usually, the one seed has home-court advantage, but not this year. Every game is taking place in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. The top-seeded Lakers lead the eight-seeded Blazers 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Catch pivotal Game 4 of the Lakers vs Blazers Monday at 9 p.m. on TNT. Make sure you check out our sportsbook page and place your bet before the late tip-off.
The Lakers are making their first appearance in the playoffs since the 2012-13 season when they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs. This time they have arguably the greatest player of all-time in LeBron James, who is fourth in playoff games played at 242. James is averaging a triple-double (23-11-10) through the first three games. The teams are meeting for the 12th time in the playoffs, six of those being in the first round. The Lakers have won five of those first-round series. You can read more stories about the NBA and other sports on our Lock-Room page.
Lakers vs Trail Blazers | The First Three Games
Blazers win Game 1 100-93
Game 1 was “Dame Time.” All-Star Damian Lillard took over late and scored 34 points to go with five boards and five assists. He shot 6-13 from “3” and 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. Portland shot 31-79 (39.2%) from the field, 13-34 (38.2%) from “3” and 25-33 (75.8%) from the charity stripe. Big-man Jusuf Nurkic had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Blazers, who led by as many as 16 points in the first half.
Lebron set a career playoff record with 16 assists in a Game 1 loss. He scored 23 points and had 17 rebounds, becoming the first player to have as many points, rebounds. and assists in the playoffs. The Lakers had a horrible shooting night going 34-97 (35.1%) from the field, 5-32 (15.6%) from “3” and 20-31 (64.5%) from the free-throw line. All-Star Anthony Davis had a double-double with 28 points on 8-24 shooting to go with 11 rebounds in 39 minutes.
Lakers win Game 2 111-88
Davis had 31 points and 11 rebounds to help even the series. The Lakers shot much better in this game where all 13 of their players played. They were 44-92 (47.8%) from the field, 14-38 (36.8%) from “3” and 9-10 (90%) from the line. LeBron had one of his worst playoff performances with 10 points, six rebounds, six assists and six turnovers in 27 minutes. Los Angeles’ largest lead was 33 points early in the fourth quarter.
Lillard was held to 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting. He exited the game in the third, and did not return, because of a dislocated index finger on his left hand. The Blazers went 34-85 (40%) from the field, 8-29 ( 27.6%) from “3” and 12-16 (75%) from the line. The Blazers, who have been one of the best teams since the restart, had their worst game offensively in the bubble.
Lakers win Game 3 116-108
James got hot, and when LeBron gets hot he makes everyone around him better. LeBron finished with 38 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists Saturday night. The Lakers trailed until LeBron hit a step-back “3” over his good friend Carmelo Anthony with 9 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. LAL shot 39-78 (50%) from the field, 10-30 (33.3%) from “3.” and 28-43 (65.1%) from the free-throw line. Davis helped spur a 40-point third, scoring 23 of his 29 points in the second half.
With the Game 3 victory, LeBron captured his 158th win in the postseason, surpassing Tim Duncan for the second-most career playoff wins. He has 10 more playoff wins than the next active player, He also surpassed Klay Thompson for third all-time in 3-pointers made in the playoffs with 375. If all goes well, he will move up in both these records by the second round.
The Blazers led for practically the entire first half, but they could not slow down the Lakers in the third. Lillard had 34 points and 7 assists two nights after dislocating his finger. C.J. McCollum had 28 points and Anthony added 20. Anthony, who was not on an NBA team until Portland picked him up Nov. 19, looked solid on both ends of the floor. The Trail Blazers shot 39-95 (41.1%) from the field, 12-35 (34.3%) from “3” and 18-19 (94.7%) from the line.
Game 4 Predictions and Betting Tips
After Game 1 you could find many sports analysts thinking the Lakers may lose or at least go to seven. It no longer seems that way. Portland has no answer for LeBron or A.D. LeBron has been here before and has seen it all. LeBron and his Lakers are in total control. Check out the matchup page to find some key betting stats.
Key Stats thru three games: L.A. Portland
Points in the paint: 146 104
Offensive rebounds: 43 22
Turnovers: 42 44
Points of turnovers: 40 51
Assists: 74 49
The Lakers had a horrible shooting night in Game 1 which led to a loss. The Lakers are creating more turnovers and not converting them into as many points thus far. They are creating more shots and moving the ball better than the Trail Blazers. If the Lakers can hit their open shots and convert from the line they will win Game 4.
The sportsbooks think the same giving the Lakers -330 money line.
The Lakers have covered the -7.5 point spread in their last two wins.
Under is 3-0 so far in the series. Under is 6-0 in the Lakers last 6 games following an ATS win. Take the under of 224.5
