Lakers (2-1) vs. Trail Blazers (1-2) | Game 4 of 82
📅 Date: Monday, Oct. 27
⏰ Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. PT
📍 Location: Crypto.com Arena
📺 TV: Spectrum SportsNet (+)
📻 Radio: ESPN LA 710/1330 KWKW
Game Preview
The Lakers are 2-1 to start the season and have the Portland Trail Blazers next on the schedule at home.
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They head into game four of 82 coming off two explosive back-and-forth scoring explosions from Luka Dončić, who scored 49 in the win over the T-Wolves, and Austin Reaves, who just had the biggest night an undrafted free agent has ever had with a 51-point barrage against the Kings.
The Blazers are an explosive young team that has played some solid basketball to start the year, even in the midst of losing their head coach to gambling allegations, with a 1-2 record. Like the Lakers, they are also on the second night of a back-to-back after a 114-107 loss to the Clippers on Sunday.
Jerami Grant, who has come off the bench, and Deni Avdija have been at the center front of Portland’s scoring offense to start the year with 55 points averaged (Grant 22.7 ppg, Avdija 23 ppg) between the two. Jrue Holiday has been a complementary piece alongside high flyer Shaedon Sharpe in Portland’s backcourt.
Their youth, athleticism, and advantage with a healthier roster could be a bad matchup against a depleted Lakers squad. It’s going to take another group effort, similar to their last two wins (over MIN, SAC).
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Injury Report
Get ready because the Lakers’ injury luck continues to bite with seven players out against Portland.
With LeBron James, Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes and rookie Adou Thiero still sidelined, the Lakers added more players to their injury front. Gabe Vincent, who left Sunday’s game early after inadvertently stepping on Deandre Ayton’s foot, and Marcus Smart join L.A.’s early long list of players hurt.
For the Blazers, Matisse Thybulle is day-to-day and questionable going into the contest with a hip injury.
(Updated as of Monday afternoon; subject to change before tip-off.)
What to Watch For
Austin Reaves’ continued spark: Reaves is coming off a career night and his efficiency is important in order for the Lakers to get in the win column with a lot of teammates out of the lineup. His contribution, not just in scoring, has been a huge spark to a Lakers team that is missing over 50% of its production.
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Deandre Ayton finding a groove and seeking revenge: Ayton is coming off his best game as a Laker. He’s quickly gotten more comfortable finding his rhythm rolling off of picks, and more importantly, with Reaves as the handler. His aggressiveness inside and on the glass in L.A.’s win over the Kings helped him produce a 22-point, 15-rebound showing.
Expect an even more aggressive approach by Ayton as he looks to take revenge against his former team in Portland.
The Blazers’ tenacity on D: Portland has a slew of forwards at their disposal that make them among the best perimeter defensive teams in the league. Adding Holiday this offseason has helped piece together their defensive identity, pairing him with two of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders in Toumani Camara and Thybulle.
The Blazers have seven players averaging a steal a game, with two of those having two per contest. This tenacity on defense has them averaging the most steals a game in the NBA to start the season, forcing 11.7 a contest.
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Threads for the Game
The Lakers will be rocking their iconic gold jerseys in the contest, while the Blazers will wear their white association edition jerseys.
What’s Next
The Lakers will be on the road in their next two contests, starting in Minnesota on Wednesday in their second matchup against the Timberwolves, and on Friday against the Grizzlies in Memphis on Halloween.