Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers fan diary

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers huddles with teammates in the first quarter of their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on October 18, 2018 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images /

4th Quarter

The “other guys” kept us afloat while waiting for LeBron to get back on the court. We managed to be within striking distance heading into the closing stretch with LBJ coming back in, which is all we can really ask for. Especially when playing in Portland.

At one point, LeBron set a screen for Lonzo near the 3-point line on the left wing, and I would bet money he told him to shoot it. Lonzo let it fly, and it went in. That is exactly how you mentor your young guys.

With 3:12 to play and a double-digit deficit, Walton pulled Ingram to get an extra shooter on the floor. It says something to me when we have to sacrifice our second best offensive player to try to play catch-up in the fourth quarter, and I don’t think it’s anything positive.

Luckily, Kuzma started finding his stroke, and Josh Hart continued his hot shooting (he finished the game 3-of-5 from three, the only respectable line besides Rondo’s 1-for-2). This enabled us to make it closer than it really was, even though the result never really looked in doubt.

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