Damian Lillard clutch down the stretch as Blazers upset Lakers in Sport 1

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Right after sinking a deep 3-pointer midway as a result of the final quarter, Damian Lillard did a small dance and teammate Jusuf Nurkic pointed to his wrist.

This was Dame Time, playoff version.

“Every match since we’ve been below has been a playoff recreation. So that organized us for a sport like this,” Lillard stated. “It’s only 1 acquire. I’m happy to be listed here competing in the playoffs once again, but we’ve got to transfer on to the following one.”

Lillard had 34 points and the Portland Path Blazers spoiled LeBron James‘ initial playoff visual appearance for the Los Angeles Lakers with a 100-93 victory on Tuesday night in Recreation 1 of the teams’ playoff collection.

James experienced 23 points, 17 rebounds and 16 helps, starting to be the initially player to have as lots of factors, rebounds and assists in the playoffs. It was his 24th publish-period triple-double and his assists ended up a profession playoff superior.

“We had a pair of breakdowns, which you cannot have down the stretch, in particular in opposition to a team like Portland,” James claimed.

Jusuf Nurkic experienced 16 factors and 15 rebounds for Portland, which led by as many as 16 points in the very first 50 percent. The Lakers, making their to start with playoff physical appearance due to the fact 2013, narrowed the benefit to 57-56 at the break and stayed near the relaxation of the way.

Trailing 78-75 likely into the last period of time, the Lakers tied it at 78 on Kyle Kuzma‘s 3-pointer. James’ layup gave Los Angeles the guide, and Kuzma extra a pair of free throws and a further layup to increase it to 84-78.

Lillard’s 3-pointer tied it all over again at 87 with 5:46 to go and CJ McCollum’s floater gave Portland the guide. Lillard said afterward he danced after his 3 simply because the song Blow the Whistle was performed in the bubble arena, which Lillard known as the “East Oakland anthem.”

Following Danny Green‘s layup tied it once again for Los Angeles, Lillard nailed one more 3-pointer. Anthony Davis‘ dunk bought the Lakers in 95-93, but Gary Trent Jr. created a 3-pointer that place Portland up 98-93 prior to Nurkic dunked to seal it.

Anthony Davis experienced 28 details and 11 rebounds for the Lakers.

Portland gained the initial enjoy-in post-year NBA sport due to the fact 1956, beating Memphis 126-122 on Saturday to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive period. The Blazers ended up among a few teams with dropping overall documents to make the bubble playoffs. No group underneath .500 had highly developed to the publish-year since 2015.

The Blazers have been with out forward Zach Collins since of irritation in his still left ankle. Wenyen Gabriel began in his put.

Portland led by 33-17 in the to start with half just after Nurkic’s dunk. The Lakers acquired in just 40-38 but could not pull in entrance right until Davis’ dunk off of James’ pass made it 50-49 with just more than a few minute still left in the 50 %. But it was short-lived.

The sport was delayed for a time in the to start with 50 % when the Lakers’ rim received tilted and experienced to be altered.

Tip INS

Trail Blazers: Lillard experienced 48 factors in Portland’s 127-119 victory in excess of the Lakers in Los Angeles on Jan. 31. So of system the Lakers had been heading to consider to cease the bubble MVP. But that is no distinct than each other recreation, Stotts said. “There’s not a large amount that he has not witnessed or that we haven’t found,” Stotts stated. … Portland is also devoid of Rodney Hood, who proceeds to rehab from an Achilles injury, and Trevor Ariza, who opted not to engage in in Florida.

Lakers: Rajon Rando is in the bubble and has returned to confined practice heading into the playoff, immediately after staying out with a fractured left thumb. Mentor Frank Vogel stated Rondo’s “close, but we will continue on to evaluate it day by day.”

Background: The teams have achieved six instances in a first-spherical series, with the Lakers profitable 5. It is the 12th time the teams have fulfilled in the playoffs.

Crimson HAT: James wore a acquainted crimson had, but instead of the President Trump slogan, the “Great Again” line was crossed out and a line was added that made the hat study: Make The us Arrest the Cops who Killed Breonna Taylor.”

UP Up coming

The sequence carries on with Game 2 on Thursday.

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