The Los Angeles Lakers must be cautious in Game 5

The Los Angeles Lakers look to close the series against the Portland Trail Blazers tonight, but it all depends on how they will approach the game.

After the NBA playoffs stopped for a few days, they will resume tonight. The players took an important stance by boycotting the past games and now they plan to continue the postseason in the bubble, using every possible tool to promote and spark a much-needed change in the United States, thanks to their visibility and the impact they can have on the nation.

This means tonight the Los Angeles Lakers will play Game 5 of the first round against the Portland Trail Blazers. Sporting a decisive 3-1 series lead, the Lakers look to close the series with a Blazers team licking their wounds following a 0-3 record in the last three games and as Seeding Games MVP Damian Lillard left the bubble with a knee injury.

But LA must not underestimate its opponent. What seems a predictable outcome could be prolonged in an unnecessarily extended agony if they come in tonight with the wrong mindset, thinking it will all be easy in this game. Although they lost their best player, the Blazers are still a fearful team, with many dangerous and productive players.

C.J. McCollum has repeatedly shown that he can rise to the occasion and step in Lillard’s shoes while the Lakers had no few problems to guard him. With the offense in his hands, he is prepared to make the game his own show. We also know that it just takes a good night for Carmelo Anthony to make it a fair fight.

The Blazers will most likely insist using their combination of Jusuf Nurkic and Hassan Whiteside in the lineup to keep Anthony Davis away from the paint. In Game 1, with AD shooting awfully from outside, the strategy worked. For the rest of the series, he has been a sniper (sort of), but if he goes on another slump, that gives the tactical advantage to Portland.

Another factor to count in has been the unexpected rest. The Trail Blazers seemed to have run out of gas after in the last two games, after grueling (physically and mentally) seeding games and first two of the playoffs. These three days of suspension have given them time to rest, recharge and regroup, despite the important issues the whole NBPA addressed.

Furthermore, the emotional response for having lost their leader could boost them for a strong push.

Actually, this is the worst-case scenario. Nothing to be really worried of. The Los Angeles Lakers just need to come in focused, play like the series depended on this game and determined to advanced to the next round as quickly as possible.

As usual, it will be LeBron James to set the tone in the first minutes.