Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons in bounce back win over Portland

Feb 26, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Alex Caruso (4) celebrate in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Alex Caruso (4) celebrate in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Los Angeles Lakers
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Vogel’s defensive scheme from last year slowed down Lillard

To be clear Lakers fans, Lillard was giving the Lake Show the business. Lillard was on fire to start the game scoring 15 points in the opening period on his way to 24 points at halftime.

In the second half, Vogel implemented multiple double team strategies to force the ball out of Lillard’s hands and force his teammates to make shots. The Blazers had a hard time with this adjustment, shooting only 38.6 percent from the field and an even worse 29.7 percent from behind the arc.

The combination of Schroder harassing Dame up the floor and the flash of a big man double-teaming the ball longer than usual disrupted Lillard’s rhythm and his scoring slowed mightily in the second half along with the Blazers.

Portland only had 36 points in the second half and Dame only finished with 11 points. Derek Fisher pointed out some of other defensive adjustments by Vogel in the Spectrum SportsNet studios.

Hopefully, the  Lakers can continue this level of defense when the Golden State Warriors come to town with their own three-game win streak. Lake Show Life will have complete coverage.

Lake Show Life has extended its post-game coverage this season! There will be short post-game reports shortly after the game in addition to the extended post-game of Lake Show Life Lessons! 

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