Final Score: POR 122 LAL 131 - Lakers Advance 4-1
The NBA resumed today after a couple day suspension of the playoffs in the wake of the teams' boycott this past Wednesday, showing solidarity after the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. The Lakers returned to play and locked in business as usual to top the shorthanded Trail Blazers 122-131, completing the "gentleman's sweep" and advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 2012.
Crazy week in the NBA, but we're glad that the players convened and agreed to finish the NBA season in the bubble as planned. At the same time, we're aware that some things are bigger than basketball. Politics and social justice aside, the Lakers took care of business tonight. But, credit to the Portland Trail Blazers. Damian Lillard is out. They only played a 9-man rotation tonight. However, they still hung in there and didn't lay down without a fight. Respect to them.
With that said, the Blazers did look like they were going to spoil this close out game. The Lakers got Anthony Davis going early as he scored the first 8 points for the Lakers, but they looked out of rhythm to start. Until LeBron James reentered the game at the 3:59 minute mark, things settled down for the Lakers a little bit. They pulled away a little bit in the third quarter, but the Blazers wouldn't go away. By the time the 4th quarter hit, they had chances to tie or take the lead. CJ McCollum went off for 36 points tonight. Carmelo Anthony turned back the clock with 27 points. He showed that he's still a deadly midrange shooter. Gary Trent Jr. and Anfernee Simons stepped up in lieu of Dame Time.
Despite this, the Lakers powered their way through. Literally, it was LeBron, AD, and the defense that helped close out this game. In close out games, the teams rely on their stars to show out big and tonight's game was proof. AD topped the scoring charts with 43 points, adding 9 rebounds. As I mentioned previously, he scored the Lakers' first 8 points of the game. He was already in double figures before Q1 ended. LeBron James notched his triple-double with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists and was aggressive as usual.
The supporting cast struggled offensively, except KCP and Dwight Howard. They had double figure points with 14 and 11 respectively. Alex Caruso had the highest field goal percentage off the bench with 60% on 3 of 5 shooting. But, it was the team defense that carried them. KCP added 3 steals. Caruso notched 4 steals and a block. He was the defensive player of the game tonight. Kyle Kuzma had some key defensive stops despite the horrendous shooting and 5 personal fouls. Let's be honest Melo took Kuz to school for the most part of the game. You can tell, this team fed on the greatness that LeBron and AD displayed tonight. As the 4th quarter winded down, the Blazers just looked gassed. At the 1:56 mark, Blazers coach Terry Stotts waved the white flag, taking all the starters out and calling it a season.
As I mentioned before, respect to the Blazers for not laying down without a fight. Scary at the same time, but the Lakers handled it well to avoid a surprising Game 6 thanks to the two-man powerhouse of the King and the 'Brow and a stifling defense. Now, we look ahead to the next round. It is likely that the Houston Rockets and they're 3-point barrage are next on the list. They'll be another tough opponent, especially with the timely return of Russell Westbrook to take some load off of James Harden. As if Lillard and McCollum were a handful in the backcourt, what more with two former MVPs in that 1 and 2 positions respectively? I'll be watching that Houston-OKC series closely and the 2nd round preview will follow immediately if the Rockets close out in Game 6 on Monday.
In special closing, I want to acknowledge the NBA for paying tribute to three great men we lost this week. Lute Olson, one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history passed away on Thursday, Clifford Robinson, Trail Blazers legend passing away to cancer today, and of course the gutwrenching news last night on Chadwick Boseman, aka the Black Panther / King T'Challa and his 4-year fight with colon cancer that hasn't been disclosed until his passing. It's crazy we lost these people for three consecutive days this week. Honestly, 2020, this year never ceases to surprise me. It's like each month there's gotta be a tragedy or something that is of significance that negatively affects our society. It also reminds us that cancer is still something of significant issue that predates all of the crazy stuff going on in 2020. And it's something that hits close to home for me having family and friends that lost the good fight to or are currently fighting this incurable ailment. I ask all of our researchers to please, please expedite on a formula for a cure. RIP to everyone mentioned. I'll see you guys later.
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