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Lakers: Portland’s two key adjustments and how to counter them

By Kevin Germany

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half in game two of the first round of the NBA playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half in game two of the first round of the NBA playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers have to adjust to the adjustments.

Game 3 figures to be a pivotal game in this series. The media hype said Portland would easily sweep the Lakers after Game 1. They changed their mind entirely after Game 2. The Los Angeles Lakers smacked Portland!

Will the Lakers win the next three games?

Slow down! Portland is still a tough matchup for the Lakers, even with megastar guard Damian Lillard’s dislocated left index finger.

Yes, this injury matters!

An injury to the index finger is terrible for shooters, even if it is his non-shooting hand. The index finger on the non-shooting hand controls the shot’s trajectory. With Dame, his form is effortless because his torso is perfectly aligned with his hand and the ball. The injury might weaken his “wall hand” on the jump shot.

This means he will miss left if he is unable to straighten it out.

Dame is on another level though. Assume he is able to adjust and still make shots. The adrenaline in his body should overcome the pain in his hand.

His shooting is worth monitoring though. He has not had a monster game in this series. This injury may or may not impact his game.

Give the Lakers’ defense credit – they have been outstanding to this point, holding Portland to an average of 94 points per game on 39.6% shooting from the field.

The Lakers’ offense missed nearly every shot in Game 1; they shot the lights out in Game 2 (the three-point percentage was slightly above league average, but we’ll give them credit).

Portland now has to make the adjustments to stay in this series. I expect them to make one key adjustment on offense and defense.

Here is how the Lakers can counter Portland’s adjustments on both ends.

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