While Charlotte picked up a wild win in the same scenario last night, on the second night of a back-to-back itâs hard to imagine they can pull it off again. In their four straight losses, the LA Lakers have scored under 100 points three times, which they had done only three times in the 29 games prior to their current troubles. It's a tough loss for Portland, but on the bright side, it's still four games over .500 and firmly in contention for a playoff spot. LeBron James (F) Kyle Kuzma (F) Marc Gasol (C) Trail Blazers. In 17 games since McCollum's foot injury, Lillard is averaging 31 points and nine assists per game with 45/38/94 shooting splits for the Portland Trail Blazers. RELATED Lillard lifts Blazers into playoff picture with 61 vs ⦠The Blazers may have lost following a rough offensive performance, but Lillard excelled once again, keeping Portland in this one thanks to his efforts. That first quarter included the shot of the game, with Lillard somehow making this layup from a near-impossible angle: EYES CLOSED, FULL HEARTS, CAN'T LOSE LeBron James is far from being done. Damian Lillard scored 31 points that game, which their team won 115-107. The Blazers are losers of four straight but the Hornets are, again, down three starters. Lillard scores 34 and Blazers beat Lakers 100-93 in Game 1. McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins due to injury, ultimately could not keep pace with James and the Lakers, even if L.A. was missing superstar big man Anthony Davis. Also read: Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Lakers: 3 key matchups that could decide the game - February 26, 2021| NBA Season 2020-2021, Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Lakers: 3 key matchups that could decide the game - February 26, 2021| NBA Season 2020-2021. The former Weber State star scored 15 points in the first quarter alone, with nine of them occurring in the final 3:09. While the LA Lakers have five losses in their last six games, the Portland Trail Blazers also have lost three consecutive games, against the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and Denver Nuggets. However, the German guard is expected to make his return for the upcoming game against the Portland Trail Blazers, and that should be a major boost for the Lakers. (ðº: @SpectrumSN) https://t.co/8pkc9cW5Zt. 15 in the 1st Q for Dame on ESPN. Trail Blazers vs Lakers h2h. The Blazers outscored the Lakers 21-19 in the third quarter before the Lakers rallied to tie the score at 78-78 with 10:34 remaining. Swiping through all the pictures of Lebron and Bryce it was easy to think, âoh dang, wait a minute? Damian Lillard is ⦠McCollum since January 16th, but have managed to go 10-8 without the guard. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James posted 28 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks to help his team break a four-game losing streak and defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 102-93 at home Friday in Staples Center. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James posted 28 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks ⦠James said Schroder significantly helped the Lakers against the Blazers, ⦠Photo: Harry How/Getty Images. In the first quarter, James stripped Robert Covington of the ball as he tried to sky to the rim. Kanter is averaging 11 points and 11 rebounds per game, playing 26 minutes in each. James scored 29 points for the Lakers. The Portland Trail Blazers are coming off of an epic match against the Houston ⦠Can the Blazers star cause an upset or will the Lakers prove why they are the no.1 seed? Trail Blazers score, takeaways: Dame Lillard fuels upset over LeBron James, Los Angeles in Game 1 This marks the first postseason ⦠The shorthanded Blazers, who are missing C.J. Damian Lillard had 34 points and the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled LeBron James' first playoff ⦠Gallery Lakers vs⦠With Schroder, the 36-year-old LeBron James can share the offensive load and manage his minutes more efficiently and help the team more on both sides. The Trail Blazers are coming into Staples riding a 3-game losing streak, including a disappointing close loss in Denver on Tuesday. The Blazers arenât shy from three, hitting 16.2 per game to trail only L.A.âs last opponent, Utah (17.0), and both of those marks are on pace to break ⦠LeBron James, LeBron James (38 points) Highlights vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 08/22/2020 Also, the LA Lakers can take advantage of Portland's defense (second-worst in the NBA in Defensive Rating) to regain some of their efficiency on offense. Later in the frame, James launched a perfect Hail Mary pass to Harrell for another two. Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Lakers combined starting 5 - February 26th, 2021. Frank Vogel on LeBron Jamesâ defense vs. Blazers. ET, and Portland will return home to face the Charlotte Hornets on Monday at 10:30 p.m. in Moda Center. The Lakers will host the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at 8 p.m. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar seemed to have found the next gear on his 18th season and continues to ⦠LeBron ⦠@Dame_Lillard put on a first half show in Los Angeles â https://t.co/SziaM10cEG. The Los Angeles Lakers snapped their four-game losing streak by defeating the Portland Trail ⦠Ultimately, it was another epic performance from James, who will now look to close the first half of the season on a high note with three more games remaining before the All-Star break. LeBron James does his part for the Los Angeles Lakers by scoring 31 points, recording eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists. Schroder is the team's third-best scorer and ranks third in Usage Percentage too. The Portland Trail Blazers' backcourt has been commanded by Enes Kanter since Jusuf Nurkic got injured. The LA Lakers have run into trouble in the 2020-21 NBA season, and their schedule has the Portland Trail Blazers visiting the Staples Center on February 26th. Lakers vs. Blazers: LeBron James drops, Damian Lillard doubles, Carmelo conundrum are three things to watch. James is currently questionable Blazers ⦠Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire. The reigning Sxith Man of the Year is averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game with a 63% efficiency from the floor. Also read | NBA will enforce additional rules forbidding hugs, handshakes with midcourt security. Lakers vs. Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Dennis Schroder has also been absent from the LA Lakers' rotation for the last four games due to the health and safety protocol. Their three-point shooting has not been efficient lately, and Anthony Davis' absence has caused serious issues for the Lakers, as it puts more pressure on LeBron James. Take Blazers -7.5 and assume the Hornets have run out of gas. The Portland Trail Blazers will be taking on the defending champion LA Lakers Monday night in Los Angeles. And it looks like Lebron James may not be available. Plus, Lillard is playing excellent basketball on a routine basis, and his presence in the backcourt can help Portland compete and win against any team, anywhere on any given night. LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell remain the only players L.A. can rely on to score. James recorded 28 points (11-21 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-8 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks Friday in a 102-93 win versus Portland. Lillard entered this game averaging 32.0 points and 11.5 assists in his last six contests, continuing a phenomenal season that should undoubtedly land him on the sixth All-NBA team of his career. A game against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the defending NBA champions is a top matchup for any team, but the stakes are a bit different for Portland. @trailblazers 29 When he wasn't scoring or blocking shots, he was setting up his teammates for easy looks. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Team LeBron dribbles against Team Giannis during ⦠However, Blazers point guard Damian Lillard excelled, leading all scorers with 35 points on 11-of-24 shooting alongside seven assists. Prediction: Blazers ⦠Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket vs. the Trail Blazers. ... LeBron James answers Zlatan Ibrahimovic's comments that ⦠The Hornets (16-17) will have little time to celebrate one of their biggest wins of the season as they stop in Portland (18-14) for the second night of a back-to-back on Monday, and if youâre wondering how you can watch the action live, youâve come to the right place. Both squads are coming off some tough losses recently, as Portland got blown out by the Phoenix Suns 132-100 before falling to Denver 111-106. Posted By: Rob Parks February 27, 2021. Lillard Excels Despite Tough Night for Blazers Overall. Now that the Portland Trail Blazers ⦠(ðº: @SpectrumSN) https://t.co/xFfb8LmGvb. James was simply sensational en route to putting the Lakers' losing streak to bed, dominating the Blazers on both ends and sometimes turning excellent defense into easy buckets. Their defense (first in the league in Defensive Rating) might be good enough to take a win off the Portland Trail Blazers' offense (seventh-best in Offensive Rating). Trail Blazers vs. Lakers Game Day Thread New, 754 comments Damian Lillard and LeBron James clash in tonightâs matchup between the Trail Blazers ⦠@Lakers 24 https://t.co/KA3eWArcoL. Lakers guard Dennis Schroder returned to the lineup after missing four games due to the league's health and safety protocols and supplemented James' effort with 22 points. He continued his torrid pace in the second quarter, adding another nine capped by a four-point play: The second half did not go as well for Lillard and the Blazers, but he hit the 30-point mark once again after nailing a stepback jumper: . The NBA issued a warning to LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma for violating the leagueâs anti-flopping rule in the teamâs 115-105 victory over the ⦠... Lakers vs. Blazers ⦠Damian Lillard is a nuclear weapon on offense and he has stepped up ⦠⦠James also benefitted from a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope swipe on Lillard, as he collected the ball, found KCP, got the rock back and slammed it home. The Blazers already beat LeBron James and company at Staples back on December 28th, and the time seems right for them to take advantage of LA's struggles. Prediction: Lakers 123, Blazers 111. At home, the LA Lakers should be favorites to snap their losing streak and catch a break. Here he is again finding Harrell for a pair of buckets and Marc Gasol for another on a no-look inbounds pass. ... Lakers (22-11) vs. but seriously his eyes were closed https://t.co/pJxMeSDxua. The Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Lakers game might hinge on the Carmelo Anthony-LeBron James matchup, a showdown Anthony is reportedly ⦠The Los Angeles Lakers are back to their winning ways. Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James was listed as questionable to play in Saturday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers ⦠He then took care of business himself with a coast-to-coast dunk. Trail Blazers (18-13) 7:00 ⦠On the LA Lakers' frontcourt, despite struggles on the paint and Davis's absence, Montrezl Harrell continues to be effective off the bench. NBA Playoffs 2020: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers series preview. It'll be their first meeting of the season. The LA Lakers, on their side, got their worst loss of the season against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, as they fell 114-89. Dennis Schroder received high praise from his Lakers teammate LeBron James for his performance against the Portland Trail Blazers. Get a recap of the Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers basketball game. Damian Lillard is a nuclear weapon on offense and he has stepped up with McCollum out for over a month now. ð¥ This is not your typical 1 vs⦠Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James is questionable to play in Mondayâs game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers due to an ankle injury, coach Frank Vogel told reporters late Sunday night. Still, the LA Lakers will be more desperate than the Portland Trail Blazers to achieve a good result. Blazers forward Derrick Jones Jr. later became another one of James' block recipients. LeBron James' first playoff campaign with the Lakers begins with a battle against the most in-form player in the league, Damian Lillard. He has played in every game for the LA Lakers so far (33 matches) and many are wondering about the long-term condition of his body in his 18th NBA season. Four consecutive losses have put the LA Lakers under pressure for their third spot in the Western Conference, though there is a long way to go in the 2020-21 NBA season. The boys are loving it ð https://t.co/7ry3qBE38w, All hands on deck! His return can only be a good sign for the struggling LA Lakers. Portland, at 18-13, have a chance to move within two games of the LA Lakers (22-11). Going coast to coast early on for the King. The Trail Blazers and the Lakers will meet for the second time this season. LeBronâs face after the BLOCK ð https://t.co/DoiN7TXBF2. Suns guard (knee) will not participate during All-Star Weekend; Conley set to play in first ASG of 14-year career, Lakers guard Dennis Schroder returned to the lineup after missing four games due to the league'sÂ. Is King James wearing a Trail Blazers shirt?' Turnovers (15 vs. the Lakers' nine) and poor shooting (37.8 percent from the field) ultimately doomed the 18-14 Blazers, who have now lost four straight. The Portland Trail Blazers have been without C.J. Schroder is averaging 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists for the LA Lakers and has made 44% of his field goals and 84% oh his free throws.