The Portland Path Blazers will face the Los Angeles Lakers tonight for his or her first recreation of 2025. Coming into this recreation, it seems Portland might see a shorthanded Lakers group, maybe giving them a gap for snatch the match.
Lakers star Anthony Davis has been downgraded to questionable for this contest. Davis was initially listed as questionable, however now seems to be at risk of lacking this recreation.
Guard Gabe Vincent was additionally downgraded to questionable for the Lakers. That leaves Los Angeles with solely a handful of gamers getting into this matchup with Portland.
Anthony Davis (ankle) and Gabe Vincent (hip) had been each downgraded to questionable tonight towards Portland, in line with the Lakers.
– Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 2, 2025
If Davis misses this recreation, it could be an enormous loss for the Lakers. Davis has been the center and soul of the group this season and dominated the Path Blazers when the 2 groups confronted off earlier this season.
The star scored 30 factors, grabbed 11 rebounds, distributed an help, made two steals and blocked 5 photographs. Davis was in all places for the Lakers as Los Angeles beat Portland within the recreation.
Lakers star LeBron James should step up if Davis misses this contest. James missed the primary recreation towards Portland, establishing Davis’ robust efficiency.
Portland will look to take advantage of the Lakers’ lack of measurement with out Davis, assuming he misses this recreation. Los Angeles can be coping with completely different accidents than different large males on the roster, presumably leaving them very skinny up entrance.
With Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III, Deandre Ayton and others, Portland might have an actual benefit within the frontcourt. Los Angeles should discover different methods to beat this group and the dimensions of the Path Blazers would possibly swimsuit them nicely.
The Path Blazers sit on the backside of the Western Convention standings, however they’re only a few video games away from competing for a playoff spot. With the brand new Play-In match nonetheless right here, Portland finds itself in a spot few anticipated it to be.
Despite the fact that a playoff run is unlikely, stranger issues have occurred within the NBA earlier than. If Portland can put collectively a pleasant run of video games, they may discover themselves proper within the thick of all of it.
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