FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Trail Blazers – Game 3 – 8/23/20

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The Los Angeles Lakers played the Portland Trailblazers in Game 3 of the the first round of NBA Playoffs on Saturday night. This game was a tough game for LA, but they still managed to come out of it with the win, and now lead in the series 2-1.

Los Angeles defeated the Trailblazers 116-108 to gain an advantage in the series. The Lakers can thank their future Hall of Fame forward LeBron James for that, as he feasted on the Portland defense by dropping 38 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. For anyone that thought LeBron was a step slow in the bubble, he just showed the world that he is still the best player in the league.

Anthony Davis struggled from the field in the first half but somehow managed to turn it on enough to support his team. He finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. He only shot 50% from the free-throw line, going 7 for 14, but the Lakers still got the win nonetheless.

Portland got a huge boost from their veteran, future Hall of Fame forward Carmelo Anthony, and it wasn’t just on the offensive side of the ball where he produced. He finished the game with 20 points, 6 rebounds,  2 assists, a block, and 4 steals. Melo turned back the hands of time, as he got 14 of his 20 points from inside the three-point line.

If the Blazers want any chance of stopping the Lakers, Melo has to play like this every game.

On the other hand, both Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum erupted after having terrible games in their last outing. Lillard finished with 34 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. McCollum put up 28 points along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a block.

Lillard, McCollum, and Anthony were the only ones who played as they needed to Saturday night.

One player who the Blazers needed more out of was center Jusuf Nurkic. In 35 minutes of play, he only racked up 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, and 5 fouls. This isn’t the Nurkic the Blazers need right now, especially against the number one seeded Los Angeles Lakers.

Other players who struggled to produce for the Portland Trailblazers include Gary Trent Jr., center Hassan Whiteside, and guard Anfernee Simons. Trent Jr. finished with only 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 4 turnovers. Whiteside finished with a mere 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block. Whiteside didn’t play a bad game, but he is expected to produce at least 10 points and 12 rebounds a game. He also got into foul trouble early, and that’s what gave the Lakers their opportunity to take over the game the way they did.

Simons played 14 minutes and ended the game with only a steal and 4 fouls. No points, no rebounds, no assists. Performances like these are unacceptable for the Trailblazers. If they want any chance at winning, anyone that plays over 10 minutes needs to have a positive plus-minus, and these three players combined for a -24 plus-minus. No team is winning with that kind of output no matter how many points are scored, especially in playoff basketball.

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo was cleared to play in this game, but he was taken out last minute due to back spasms. No word has come in on if he will be available to play for the Lakers in Game 4.

Before the game, it was announced that Trailblazers forward Zach Collins would miss the remainder of the season due to season-ending ankle surgery.

The pivotal Game 4 will be played on Monday evening, August 24th, on TNT at 6:00 pm PST. If the Lakers win, they will take a 3-1 lead over the Blazers. Portland must treat this game like an elimination game, because that is really what this game is.

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-Michael Dancy II – Franchise Sports Media

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