After 48 hours of a referendum on their team, their starting lineup and their supporting cast, the Los Angeles Lakers responded in a major way by dominating the Portland Trail Blazers on their way to a 111-88 score that evened their best of seven series at 1-1.
Anthony Davis, in particular, was brilliant as he led the Lakers in scoring with 31 points and 11 rebounds, as well as a game-high plus-minus of +32. Davis settled for jumpers far too often in Tuesday’s Game 1 and on Thursday, he was patient and methodical in attacking the Blazers, getting closer to the rim, and being aggressive on the offensive glass to use his size to the Lakers advantage.
While it looked like it might be a game that LeBron James would takeover coming in, Davis had a much more aggressive approach. He also hit three of his 4 3-point attempts. The Lakers also got a major boost from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who was held to 1 point in Game 1 and hit a team-high four 3-pointers.
Damian Lillard left the game with a dislocated left index finger, but the x-rays on Lillard’s hand came back negative, which is likely good news for his availability in Game 3 for the Blazers.
