Austin Reeves’ new card isn’t enough against the Blazers

Day after day, the Lakers’ infirmary is filling up and the day after a a great victory against the kingsJJ Redick’s players suffered a logical defeat against the Blazers. Decimated by absences, the Lakers battled through the half before collapsing in the second half.

Already deprived LeBron JamesLuka Doncic or even Jackson Hayes, the Lakers found out during the day from the package of Gabe Vincent and Marcus Smart. Despite this carnage, the Lakers got off to a better start with the ever-present Austin Reaves and solid Deandre Ayton in the paint against his former partners. The Lakers rarely lose the ball, and in contrast, the Blazers seem to sleep. The game changes when the two coaches begin their rotations.

First of all, everything changed when Jerami Grant entered the game. Under his leadership, the Blazers take control, with Donovan Klingan doing a great job under the boards with a shot and then a big dunk. After Brony James was fouled, it was Juror Holliday who highlighted this quarter with a four-point lead (28-24).

As soon as Reeves comes out, it’s nothingness…

Conversely, the Lakers still can’t score from long range, but they’re fighting back. Jarred Vanderbilt and Deandre Ayton are holding firm under the boards, and Reaves remains strong. But the Lakers guard, who is starting to lose the ball, also needs to breathe, and Redick invites him back to the bench. Without their No. 1 option, the Lakers are sinking, to the point where they concede 9-0 and fall behind (46-38). Redick immediately puts it back in the game, but Portland hangs on, and Portland leads 59-53 at the break.

After returning from the locker room, things will get really complicated for the Lakers. The turnovers keep coming, the legs are heavy, and Portland’s skill makes the difference. At 100% on 3-pointers, Danny Avdia makes two winning baskets in a row and increases the deficit to +15 (73-58). Redick has almost no solutions from the bench, and when the Reaves-Knecht duo tries to play a nice last fight, Grant calms them down again, supported by the efficient Caleb Love (84-73).

Finally, the deficit will reach 18 points after two consecutive triples by Jrue Holliday (97-79). There are still ten minutes to play, but Portland is holding the match well, and five minutes from the end, Redick waves the white flag, opening his thin bench for a completely logical defeat (122-108).

What to remember

– Lakers without blood. JJ Redick was without seven offensive players for the game, many of them creators: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Gabe Vincent and Marcus Smart. With only Austin Reeves really running the game, we have a better understanding of the 23 turnovers. Including 8 for Reaves…

– Portland dominates below the circles. Deandre Ayton started the game well, but there was clearly more size and weight on his side. Like Donovan Clingan’s double-double, the Blazers hit where it hurts with 19 offensive rebounds for 35 points scored on second-chance shots.

– Grant, the 6th luxury man. Like Chauncey Billups, Tiago Splitter is keeping Jeramie Grant as the No. 6 man, and the former Nuggets winger is hurting the (thin) opposing subs a lot. His versatility and ability to punish from distance are ideal in this role, and after four games he is averaging 22.5 points. In 28 minutes.

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