Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Game 2: How to watch the NBA playoffs today, preview and odds

The Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers will face off for Game 2 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The purple and gold must execute better if they don’t want to fall to a 0-2 whole vs RIP City, especially after missing so many wide-open looks from beyond the arc.

LeBron James recorded his 22nd career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 16 assists but hisLakers still fell to Damian Lillard and the Blazers 100-93 on a 48-minute thriller.

Lillard kept his foot on the gas by scoring 34 points with 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and 6 three-pointers, and star big man Jusuf Nurkic added 16 points, 15 boards, and some great defense over Anthony Davis for most of the game.

The Lakers shot just 5/32 from beyond the three-point line and 35.1% overall. They couldn’t make the most of their edge in the offensive glass and all their forced turnovers and their offense looked out of sync for most of the game. Now, they’ll have to win Game 2 at all costs.

Head-To-Head: Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers

The Lakers have owned the Blazers in the playoffs for most of their history, including that iconic Kobe-To-Shaq Alley Oop in Game 7 of the 2000 WCF and hold a 32-17 edge vs. Portland in the playoffs.

Then again, this Blazers’ team has a feel for upsetting better-seeded teams. They did it last year by taking down the Denver Nuggets and making it to the Conference Finals, so they must act quickly if they don’t want to fall to a 0-2 hole.

Match Information:Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers

Date:Thursday, Aug. 20
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location:AdventHealth Arena, Orlando

Injuries

Los Angeles Lakers

Rajon Rondo: Thumb, Questionable

Portland Trail Blazers

Zach Collins:Ankle, To be re-evaluated in one week

Nassir Little:Illness, Day-to-day

Caleb Swanigan:Personal, Out for the season

Trevor Ariza:Personal, Out for the season

Rodney Hood: Achilles, Out for the season

Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Game 2: Odds and Predictions

Oddsmakers are expecting LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers to bounce back in a good fashion. They enter this game as 6 point favorites despite the tough loss. Also, they’re expecting a much better offensive execution from both teams as you can see by the game total projection at 229.5 points.

* Odds via DraftKings & FanDuel

How Can I WatchLos Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Game 2?

Game 2:Thu, Aug 20 Portland at Los Angeles, 9 ET, ESPN, ESPN App, NBA League Pass.