“We Got Our Butts Kicked”: Blazers’ Damian Lillard Decodes Strategy for Game 3 Against Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers put away all doubts about their abilities to rest on Thursday’s game 2 of the playoffs. They blew the Portland Trail Blazers right out of the water with a 111-88 victory.

Anthony Davis‘ whopping come back from Game 1 was a sight for sore eyes. He bagged 31 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and absolutely killed it defensively.

The Blazers have to hit back with a stronger response to this game. However, this could be tricky with Damian Lillard’s status probable for the next game.

Damian Lillard reveals what Lakers were trying to do

Unfortunately for the Blazers, Lillard dislocated his left index finger in the third quarter. His availability for the game on Saturday remains clouded in mystery. Even if he does, it’s quite unlikely to play in the same form that he did before.

During game 1, the Lakers were having a hard time stopping Damian Lillard. However, it looked like they had found a way to defend against him on Thursday.

As soon as Lillard crossed the half-court line, a tag team would surround him and prevent him from entering the paint as much as possible.

This would usually be either JaVale McGee or Dwight Howard. They successfully managed to contain Damian to 18 points in the game.

“I just kept hearing them yell out ‘box, box, box,’ and a guy would come, and they would try to keep me in a boxed-in area,” Lillard said.

“I recognized it, and I’ll go back and watch more to see what they were doing, and where we could take advantage of it and make that adjustment. I think I’m going to have to give it up and trust the pass out to score and make them pay for it.”

Lillard asserted, “Hopefully, it will soften up and I can find my spots to be even more aggressive against them.”

What does Game 3 look like?

The Lakers have been extremely drab ever since they entered the bubble. Yet, Game 2 of the playoffs has been their best game so far. If they keep this momentum going, it could be a big barrier for the Blazers.

Damian Lillard said optimistically, “We got our butts kicked tonight, but it’s just one game.” Being one of the best offensive teams in the bubble, the Blazers can still make it right.