The Los Angeles Lakers are playing like everything but champions. They are giving prediction makers sleepless nights by always surprising with a loss against underdogs. The latest addition to this became their defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers. LeBron James shined in the game, but nothing that could help his side win.
The NBA Playoffs 2020 game 1 for the Lakers was living proof that the star duo can not alone win them games. The duo contributed 51 points, 28 rebounds, and 16 assists together. Still, they slipped up, exposing weaknesses in their bench.
LeBron James sets an NBA record
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The Akron Hammer had a slow start to the game, while Anthony Davis was cruising with a consistent play. However, LeBron picked his form and ended up posting a triple-double. He became the first player in the NBA history to put 20+ pts, 15+ ast, 15+ reb in a playoff game. Alas for him, even that could not bring a victory.
LeBron James is the first player in #NBAPlayoffs history to record 20+ PTS, 15+ REB, and 15+ AST in a game. pic.twitter.com/r0oIf49b7Q
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) August 19, 2020
The fourth quarter began with the Lakers taking a 12-3 lead against the Blazers. At one point, it seemed as if the Lakers will be the last team to smile. But Damian Lillard with his extraordinary class came out fully loaded and swapped the stats for his side. Watch this three-pointer from him that left Anthony Davis and Danny Green look helpless.
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🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/oJMUGL58r9
— NBA (@NBA) August 19, 2020
Another three-point failure for the Los Angeles Lakers
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It must have disappointed head coach Frank Vogel to see yet another dismal show from down the line. The Lakers could convert only a meager 5 out of 32 attempts for the three-pointers. That is one such terrible data that will haunt them in the games to come. It is the second-worst 3P% by any team in the playoffs, given that they have attempted it 30+ times.
On the other hand, they have an opponent in Dame who has converted 65/67 free throws and is blooming with confidence. The predictions that favored the Lakers winning the series in 5 games can not take a back seat, because it will only get more fierce from here. The two teams will play the second game on August 20 at 9 PM ET, ESPN.