Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Game 2: Injury Updates, Lineup and Match Predictions
Follow Us
Los Angeles Lakers fans waited for six years to see their color in the playoffs. Now, they’re finally playing round 1 as the #1 seed in the conference. But the fans still have a cause for worry. First, the team had a terrible Bubble restart. Then, the men in golden and purple lost the post-season opener.
In Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers are facing a decent challenge ahead of the conference semi-finals. Earlier, people thought the Lakers were playing lower than their potential to stay fit ahead of the playoffs, but that excuse is long gone.
USA Today via Reuters
Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers injury updates
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
For the Lakers, LeBron James is ‘probable’ for game 2, as he has a sore groin, although fans believe he may still turn up. Anthony Davis is another name on the ‘probable’ list, as he has a sore knee.
But there is some good news for the Lakers in the offing. Rajon Rondo is cleared from his thumb injury. Though his inclusion in the playing team is questionable, he was seen practicing.
Trending
Shaq Makes Big Claim That Can End LeBron James’ Future With Lakers After Nuggets Series
April 17, 2024 06:48 PM EDT
Possible Shohei Ohtani Ban From MLB Has Shaq Questioning $700 Million Contract
April 16, 2024 05:20 PM EDT
7’4 Victor Wembanyama, Accused of Disrespecting Knicks Star, Gets MVP Shout-Out From Unbothered Jalen Brunson
April 19, 2024 02:58 PM EDT
Why Is Gabbie Marshall Not Invited to the 2024 WNBA Draft Despite Graduating From Iowa?
April 13, 2024 06:21 PM EDT
Is Dawn Staley Married? Details on South Carolina Coach’s Love Life and Special Bond With Lisa Boyer
March 16, 2024 06:41 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
For the Blazers, forward Zach Collins might miss the entire week’s play because of his ankle injury. Next up, they might also miss forward Nassir Little, who had reported dehydration earlier in the week. He will be re-examined, following which the management will make a decision.
MRI confirms a "left ankle Malleolar stress reaction" for Zach Collins. He's out for Game 2 and will be reevaluate in a week, which means Games 3 and 4 are likely out as well.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) August 19, 2020
Nassir Little experienced a syncopal episode on August 12 while attending optional shooting in Orlando. He was diagnosed with dehydration & further tests have been negative. He will remain with the team & undergo precautionary health monitoring for 2 weeks. Get well soon, Nas❤️
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) August 18, 2020
Who wins? The match prediction:
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In a surprising turn of events, both Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks lost their respective first games as #1 seeds. But problems for Lakers are seemingly more troubling than for the Bucks.
Lakers will stick to LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Danny Green, JaVale McGee, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as their starting five. Now, the problem here is that The Akron Hammer as a point guard without Rondo or Avery Bradley is still an issue. McGee is good at rebounds, but their offense is failing to convert it into points.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Trail Blazers have a weak defense, but it will take some over-the-board improvement on the Lakers’ offense distribution to make use of this weakness. The fact that the Lakers keep missing the wide-open opportunities is further dampening their chances. Now, KCP, Danny Green, and Kyle Kuzma will have to pull some jumpers too to get them going. Or else, the trio of Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, and Carmelo Anthony can eat them again.
Still, we feel the Lakers will make a comeback from this game, making it 1-1 as they play on August 20 at 9:00 PM ET at the NBA Playoffs 2020.
Written by:
