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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 important things to scout in Grizzlies-Blazers

By Kevin Germany

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

How many offensive rebounds does Portland give up? Can Anthony Davis dominate the offensive glass?

Portland seemingly gave up 100 offensive rebounds in the game’s closing moments against the Nets. Jarrett Allen, in particular, dominated Jusuf Nurkic on the offensive glass. To be fair, Nurkic overpowered Allen on the other end. Portland also trends bigger than most teams.

My point still stands: the Lakers have to focus on offensive rebounding. Portland, if they win either in Game 1 or Game 2, needs to be relentlessly attacked on the glass. They are dead last in second-chance points allowed.

Anthony Davis should beat the Nurkic, Zach Collins, and Hassan Whiteside trio to the ball every single time. This needs to happen more often.

The Lakers guards would be wise to crash the glass as well. Force Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum to box out on each possession. If they cannot stop Caris Lavert, Dame and CJ will also not be able to control the glass.

Side note: Caris LeVert, again, should have gone five seconds earlier to give his team another chance to get the offensive rebound. It may have been Phoenix vs Memphis if Brooklyn had gotten the offensive rebound and subsequently putback.

As crazy as it sounds, Portland actually out-rebounded Brooklyn on the offensive glass 14-12. It is much easier to get offensive rebounds based on long misses.

Given Damian Lillard now shoots from half-court, there will be long misses (on the very rare occasion he misses a shot!) so Lakers players ought to monitor where the ball ends up. Long shots lead to fast break opportunities.

Portland will get quite a few offensive rebounds of their own. The Lakers need to emphasize defensive rebounding more so than usual.

So, the Lakers should look for how Portland boxes out their man defensively. Given Memphis leads the league in points in the paint (the Lakers rank second), there is enough overlap to scout how to beat Portland’s defenders to the ball.

Does this change the game? Absolutely!

The Lakers can add at least 10 points per game if they crash the glass with ferocity! Pay close attention to today’s rebounding battle.

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