After three days off due to players boycotting the games, the NBA will return to action on Saturday. All three games on the schedule will be Game 5’s, including a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland won the series opener by a score of 100-93, but it has been all Los Angeles since that game. The Lakers come into this game with a 3-1 series lead, and they can close things out with a win on Saturday night.
The Lakers are the top seed in the Western Conference, and a win on Saturday would give them some extra rest before the start of the second round. Portland is trying to extend their season, but they will be playing short-handed in this game.
The Los Angeles Lakers are 13.5-point favorites over the Portland Trail Blazers in this Game 5 matchup on Saturday night.
No “Dame Time” For Blazers
Damian Lillard is headed back to Portland to get his knee examined after suffering an injury in Game 4. The loss of Lillard will be a huge blow to the Portland offense, and it takes one of the most exciting players in the league off of the floor.
Lillard is scoring 24 points per game in this series, and he is in charge of running things on offense for the Blazers. Portland has some other scoring options, but they don’t have anyone else who can take over a game.
Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum have combined for more than 33 points per game in this series, and they will now be forced to step up their games. The Lakers will also be keying on these players, making things hard for the Blazers.
Portland has struggled on defense all season long, and they allowed 135 points in the Game 5 loss. The Blazers can’t rely on their offense to win this game, and they will have to be terrific on the defensive end of the floor.
LeBron and Davis Out to Finish Series
LeBron James and Anthony Davis lead the Los Angeles Lakers, and both players have been terrific in these playoffs. Even though the Lakers have had a few days off, a win in Game 5 would give these two veteran stars a chance for some extra rest.
Davis and James have combined for more than 51 points per game in the playoffs, and they lead the team in assists and rebounds. The Trail Blazers don’t have anyone to match up to either player, and they both should have huge performances in Game 5.
Shooting has been a big question mark for the Lakers at times this season, but the team made 17 three-pointers in their Game 4 blowout win. If the Lakers can make shots again in this one, then the score could get out of hand in a hurry.
Lakers Blow Out Short Handed Blazers
Without Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers simply don’t have any real chance of winning this game. The Lakers have won the last three games with Lillard in there for the Blazers, and this game is a complete mismatch now.
Portland has been overcoming adversity all season long, but losing one of the league’s best players is too much to handle. The Blazers will compete in this game, but they don’t have enough talent.
The Lakers want to end this series, and they will make an early statement. Bet the Los Angeles Lakers -13.5 over the Portland Trail Blazers in this Game 5 on Saturday.
