The Portland Trail Blazers are required to play Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers, and should be expected to perform as professionals.
But without Damian Lillard, ruled out with a right knee sprain, Portland has only a minuscule chance of winning Game 5, let alone the series.
The Lakers, who won 135-115 in Game 4, lead the first-round series 3-1 and could wrap things up and put the Blazers out of their misery on Wednesday.
Things have rapidly gone downhill for Portland since it pulled off an upset in Game 1. However, the bubble experience in its entirety should be viewed as a positive one for the Blazers, 8-4 since the restart with every loss coming against true NBA title contenders, Boston, the Los Angeles Clippers (minus Kawhi Leonard) and the Lakers.
Portland coach Terry Stotts on Tuesday said he expects the team to maintain its competitive fight in Game 5.
“I have a lot of trust in our guys,” Stotts said. “I think they are up to the challenge. They are competitive by nature. We wouldn’t be here if they weren’t.”
The Blazers held a short team meeting on Tuesday. Players had the option to go to the gym to get in shooting practice, or remain at the hotel to get treatment. On Wednesday, Stotts said, the team would go over the game plan in greater detail prior to Game 5.
It would be understandable for the team to be spent emotionally. No Lillard. Down 3-1. Facing a rolling opponent. But Stotts said the Blazers will play with a purpose.
“We all know in the room that were down 3-1 to a good team,” he said. “So, we know the challenge in front of us. I think we all have a belief in what we’re able to do. Obviously, we weren’t doing summersaults this morning. We got beat badly. And we have a lot of pride and I think we’re just looking for an opportunity to redeem ourselves tomorrow.”
ANFERNEE SIMONS
Lillard being out for Game 5 should mean a lot of minutes for backup point guard Anfernee Simons. The second-year point guard has struggled mightily at the bubble. He’s scored just 21 points on 23.3 percent from the field in eight appearances for a total of 103 minutes.
In Game 4, he went 1 of 8 from the field for three points, but did have six assists.
Stotts acknowledged Simons’ struggles while pointing out that his overall bubble experience has been a positive from a growth standpoint.
“Obviously he got some minutes last year in the playoffs but this is a different experience for him,” Stotts said. “This year has been a learning year. Last year he didn’t get to play much, this year we counted on him more and this is part of his growth.”
Simons could be a pivotal piece for the Blazers next season. They desperately need some scoring punch off the bench, especially backing up Lillard. The team must either get that from Simons or maybe package him in a deal to upgrade elsewhere.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates after scoring a three-point basket with center JaVale McGee (7) and forward Anthony Davis (3) in the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP) APAP
LAKERS’ SHOOTING
After a pitiful performance in Game 1, the Lakers have been shooting well, especially in Game 4 when they shot 56.3% from the field and 43.6% from three-point range. That allowed the Lakers to explode to an early 15-0 lead that expanded to as much as 38 points in the third quarter.
Stotts said he doesn’t know if the Lakers can duplicate that type of performance again and pointed out that after falling behind big, the Blazers played well enough to drastically reduce their deficit in the second half.
“But the scoreboard didn’t necessarily reflect it because we were down so much to begin with,” Stotts said.
On the other hand, it’s typical for a team up nearly 40 points to let down its guard, thus making it easier for the losing team to somewhat close the gap.
BLAZERS VS. LAKERS GAME 5 PREVIEW
What: No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers vs. No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers, 6 p.m. PT Wednesday.
Where: Advent Health Arena, Orlando, Florida.
TV channel: TNT (Locally and on Comcast Cable 54/754), NBC Sports NW (37, 737).
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM)
How to watch live stream online: You can watch the game live for FREE with FuboTV (free trial). You can also get this game on Hulu + Live (free trial) or Sling TV (free trial, promotional offers), if you prefer those platforms and their pricing plans.
More ways to watch: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast / Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice,Cox, DIRECTV.
Game 5 line: Lakers by 11.
Game 5 odds: Lakers (-700) | Blazers (+550) - O/U: 216.5
INJURY REPORT
Blazers: Guard Damian Lillard (right knee sprain) and forwards Zach Collins (left ankle Malleolar stress reaction) and Nassir Little (dehydration) are out. Guard CJ McCollum (vertebral fracture) is available. Forwards Trevor Ariza and Caleb Swanigan opted out of the NBA bubble.
Lakers: Guard Rajon Rondo (back spasms) is doubtful. Forward LeBron James (sore right groin), forward Anthony Davis (sore left ankle) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (sore right knee) are probable. Guard Avery Bradley did not join the team at the bubble.
REMAINING SERIES SCHEDULE
*Game 6: Friday, TBD, TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, TBD, TBD
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
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