Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball first round playoff game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.Ashley Landis | Pool via Associated Press
NBA
NBA Playoff Picks: Greg Frank looks at the over/under for Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers
Tip off for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers is 9 pm EDT
Lakers (-7) vs. Trail Blazers (226.5)
Pick: Under 226.5
After dropping Game 1 last week against Portland, the Lakers have responded with back-to-back wins to lead the series 2-1 and can take a commanding 3-1 on Monday night. Even in the first game, the common thread for Los Angeles in this series has been strong defensive play. Portland has scored 100, 88 and 108 points respectively in the three games. It’s time the Trail Blazers match the Lakers intensity of the defensive end of the floor or the fun story that is Portland in the NBA bubble will soon be no more. With the Lakers fully submerged in playoff mode, we’re not expecting their defense to subside and do think a desperate Portland team improves on that end of the floor tonight.