After they lost the first game, many predicted a first-round loss for the Los Angeles Lakers. But they rallied back with four wins on the trot, sending the Portland Trail Blazers home in five games.

Following the win, Lakers veteran Jared Dudley sent out an appreciation tweet for the Blazers, especially Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. He conveyed his respect to the team and called the duo one of the best backcourts in the NBA. McCollum tweeted back and appreciated Dudley’s kind words.

With Lillard out with an injury, McCollum was a menace in Game 5 for the Lakers. He scored 36 points while shooting 13/25 from the field. He kept them in the hunt, but the dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis secured the win for the Lakers.

Can the Los Angeles Lakers continue their form?

Throughout the series, the Lakers were propelled by LeBron and AD, who were unstoppable and out of control. LeBron averaged 27.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 10.2 assists while shooting an impressive 46% from three. Davis, on the other hand, averaged 29.8 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting 57% from the field.

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These two were the pillars of the Lakers’ success in the first round. Now in the Conference Semifinals, they face the winner of the Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder series. The Rockets are currently 3-2 up and will be expected to progress.

Against the Rockets, they will be up against one of the best scorers in the game, James Harden. The Lakers cannot afford to give him an inch of space or he will punish them. They also need to keep a close eye on Russell Westbrook, who has now returned from injury. His explosiveness is unmatched and he could be a problem.

Kyle Kuzma’s form will be a worry for the Lakers. After being one of the best players for them in the seeding games, his form has dropped drastically. He averaged just 10.8 points per game while shooting a poor 30% from beyond the arc against the Blazers. Against the high-scoring Rockets, the Lakers will need to outscore them and Kuzma has to step up to help on that front.

Their defense has been a big positive so far for the Lakers and they will need to maintain that against the Rockets. If they’re able to build on this momentum, this series will be theirs to lose.