After taking care of business at home against the Miami Heat on Sunday, the Lakers (5-2) are quickly back on the road as they take on the Portland Trail Blazers (4-2) on Monday. This will be the second time these two teams meet inside of a week.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
When: 7 p.m. PT, Nov 3
Where: Moda Center
Watch: NBA TV, Spectrum Sportsnet
Considering that they’re on the second night of a back-to-back, on the road and not 100 percent healthy, it’s almost like everything
is set up for Los Angeles to lose in Portland on Monday night. It doesn’t help that these Blazers are off to a strong start after not only beating the Lakers last week — who were without Luka Dončić — but also the Denver Nuggets.
Suffice it to say this will be one of the most challenging games on the Lakers schedule this season. But given how they’re playing as of late, it’s one that they’re capable of conquering.
One of the most encouraging trends we’ve seen is the performance of the role players. In the win against the Grizzlies, Dončić ‘s 44-point night was obviously the story of the game, but the victory wouldn’t have been possible without Jake LaRavia’s 13 points and Marcus Smart’s 12. It was the same case against the Heat when LaRavia, Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes combined for 51 points.
It’s a sign that this Lakers team is composed of quality players who can score and, when they lean on that, they’re very hard to stop. That’s exactly what they should do against the Blazers, who have been one of the top defensive teams in the league to start the season. It’s unclear how legit Portland will be for the rest of the way, but what’s certain is that the purple and gold shouldn’t take them lightly.
They’re a team that will force the Lakers to turn the ball over, catch them off guard with their pace and challenge their defense led by Jerami Grant, Deni Avdija and Jrue Holiday. Expect them to play with even more force and energy on their home floor.
Let’s see if the Lakers can take the hits thrown at them, attack with their own firepower and steal one on the road to make it four wins in a row.
Notes and Updates
- Since the Lakers played on a back-to-back, there will be no injury report released until a few hours before Monday’s game.
- That being said, it’s safe to assume that LeBron James (right sciatica), Maxi Kleber (abdominal muscle strain), Adou Thiero (left knee surgery recovery) and Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain) are out.
- Deandre Ayton (back spasms) was a late scratch prior to Sunday’s game and his status for Monday remains uncertain.
- As for the Blazers, Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear), Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon), Matisse Thybulle (left thumb ligament tear) and Blake Wesley (right foot fracture) are out.
- Shaedon Sharpe (left calf soreness) is probable.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
