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Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis (3) and Danny Green, right, celebrate after a play during the second half of an NBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The Lakers won 131-122 to win the series 4-1. (AP Photo / Ashley Landis)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – There was a time this week when LeBron James and the Lakers weren’t sure about staying in the bubble.
They decided to stay and look like they might be here for a while.
The Lakers advanced to the Western Conference semifinals by topping the Portland Trail Blazers with a 131-122 victory Saturday night.
It was the Lakers’ first series win since 2012 and set them up for a second-round showdown against Houston or Oklahoma City. The Rockets lead 3-2 with Game 6 on Monday, so the Lakers will have some free time.
They just returned from a break.
Los Angeles was scheduled to play Wednesday night and the players were relaxing in their rooms when they learned that the Milwaukee Bucks had decided not to play their game that afternoon against Orlando. It was a surprise to everyone else in the league and there was some frustration that night when the players got together.
James was one of the frustrated people, having realized that the Bucks hadn’t fully thought about his actions.
“And then from that point on, my mind started to think, what is the plan to move forward? And if we don’t have a plan, what are we talking about? Why are we still here? James said.
That’s what my mind went to. And at one point there were no plans to move forward. There was no plan of action. And I personally am not that kind of guy. I’m not a guy who doesn’t have a plan, and then he’s not ready to act on action. “
The players finally came up with one and agreed with the owners Thursday on some expanded initiatives, including increased voter participation and the creation of a social justice coalition.
James joked that he probably plans to leave the bubble at least once a day, but agreed with the players that their hopes of getting his message about the change were best made at Disney.
When the Lakers finally returned to the court for the first time since Monday, they weren’t particularly ready. Portland finished with its highest point total of the series despite playing without leading scorer Damian Lillard.
Anthony Davis said the Lakers know they have to get back to their generally stronger defense in the next round.
“When we play Lakers basketball, running in transition, playing great defense, stopping, running in transition, playing for others, playing messy, we are a tough team to beat,” Davis said.
Davis scored 43 points and James had 36 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. The two All-Star forwards dominated the series after the No. 1 seed was eliminated in Game 1.
They could put in more big numbers in the next round if they play Houston, which uses a small lineup that would have trouble matching. But even if they don’t, Davis believes the Lakers will have a chance to win.
“We know that we are a difficult team to beat,” he said. “We know that we are a great team and we have to play that way every night.”
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