LAKE GOOD VIEW, Fla. While the purpose is to win a title, LeBron James said the Los Angeles Lakers had achieved a key purpose opposite the Portland Trail Blazers, and that it wasn’t just about winning the first-round postseason.
It’s an improvement.
“We’ve taken a step forward in the series,” James said. “We knew we were going to a series opposite a Portland team that was betting on the most productive basketball in the bubble with Phoenix. So we just looked to get in and see the paintings of our game, making us more and better as the Games continued. Fix as the series progressed. And I think we did.
James scored 36 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and the Lakers approached the Western Conference semi-finals, beating the Blazers 131-122 in game five on Saturday night (Sunday, Manila time).
Anthony Davis scored the 43 most sensitive playoff issues for the most sensitive seed Lakers in his first playoff appearance since 2013. The Lakers had not won a playoff series since 2012.
James has lost a series of first-round playoffs with a 14-0 record.
PHOTO: AP
The Lakers will play the winner of the series between Houston and Oklahoma City. The Rockets took a 3-2 lead with a 114-80 win the previous Saturday.
CJ McCollum had 36 problems for the Trail Blazers, who played the injured All-Star escort Damian Lillard. Carmelo Anthony added 27 numbers.
Down 14 in the third quarter, Portland was hit 100-97 on McCollum’s tray and tied Anfernee Simon’s triple to crown an 8-point run with 9:46 remaining. James responded with a 3.
Gary Trent Jr.’s tripler tied him in 109 with just seven minutes to play. Again, the Lakers resisted Portland with the Kentavious Caldwell-Pope triple.
After Trent’s triple closed it at 114-112 with 4:53 to play, Davis had an 11-0 run to put Los Angeles forward 123-112 and seal it.
PHOTO: AP
The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday night, but players will not participate in the 3 playoff games scheduled for that day to protest racial injustice following the murder of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Friday’s games have also been postponed.
James hopes the last few days have made a difference.
“Clearly, the bubble season will never be forgotten. In sport, it’s the first time we can do something like this, but this moment is much bigger than us betting on basketball,” James said. “Hopefully, years later, when America is in a better place, you can look back at that moment and be like one of the catapults that made things happen.”
Lillard injured his right knee in Game 4 that prompted him to leave the bubble in Florida and return to Portland to see team doctors. Lillard was named MVP of the seeding games heading into the playoffs, averaging 37.6 points and 9.6 assists in eight games.
Trent Jr. took his position as Lillard in the starting lineup. But due to the injuries, the eighth seeded Blazers had only nine players for the game.
“All you can do is expect to play a last-quarter game and win at the end, and we don’t win at the end,” said Blazers coach Terry Stotts.
Portland’s victory in the first-round series came in the first game.
PHOTO: AP
Trail Blazers: In addition to Lillard, Portland without Zach Collins due to left ankle inflammation, Nassir Little with dehydration and Wenyen Gabriel with right quadrant tendinitis.
Lakers: Rajon Rondo practiced on Friday but remained inactive for Game 5 as he recovers from a fractured right thumb and back spasms. … Dion Waiters was game-time decision with a migraine but was available.
There was a moment of silence before the game for former Trail Blazer Cliff Robinson. He died saturday at the age of 53.
Robinson played 18 seasons in the NBA, his first 8 in Portland, and then made the city his home. Portland players also used headbands in the game in their honor.
“His personality and power were unbeatable, and his field contributions were undeniable, helping the Trail Blazers qualify for the playoffs in their eight seasons with the team,” the Blazers said in a statement.
The moment of silence identified former Arizona coach Lute Olson and actor Chadwick Boseman.
The Lakers announced before the game that the Staples Center will serve as a polling station for the upcoming general election. Voters can vote in the arena from October 30 to November 3. The arena will also serve as a position for the ballots.
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