WATCH: LeBron James Continues His Case For MVP, Converts Spectacular Block Into Smooth Layup

The Los Angeles Lakers are going through a horrible run of games. They have won just one out of their last six games. The absence of Anthony Davis has been tough for them, and it has overburdened LeBron James.

Tonight they face the Portland Trail Blazers to arrest this slump. LeBron is leading them once again, and he is doing it on both ends. Early in the first quarter, the Lakers star had a phenomenal block on Robert Covington, who came in charging for a dunk. LeBron came in from the side and successfully smacked the ball cleanly from Covington’s hands.

The highlight play wasn’t over as he grabbed the ball and finished it with a layup on the other end. This play is a reminder of his two-way prowess, and very few players in the league have a similar skill set.

Can LeBron James help the Lakers break their four-game losing streak?

Fortunately for the Lakers, they aren’t the only struggling team in this matchup. The Blazers arrive at the Staples Center with a three-game losing streak. Similar to the Lakers, their star Damian Lillard is also being overworked because of injuries to CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic. That makes it a huge clash for both teams.

The Blazers started the first half well and had a slender three-point lead to end the half. Lillard was all over the place for the Blazers, scoring 24 points while shooting 8-15 from the field. He also shot 4-8 from three and was a menace for the Lakers.

LeBron was doing his best for the Lakers and had 18 points while shooting 7-12 from the field. He also had a crazy three blocks in just 17 minutes of playing. Dennis Schroder’s arrival hasn’t been as expected so far, with him scoring just 2-7 from the field. They need him to step up, and can’t expect LeBron to carry them every game.

The Lakers desperately need this win tonight and they need the whole team to step up to accomplish that. The Blazers are a gritty opponent and will fight till the end. They beat the Lakers earlier this season and are capable of doing it again.

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