Here is what you need to know before the Lakers continue preseason with a visit from the Portland Trail Blazers.
1)
The Lakers are coming off a shootout victory over Denver thanks to the hot touch of D’Angelo Russell. The sophomore lit the defense up for 16 points in the first quarter alone, finishing with 33 on 13-of-19 shooting. Russell was shifty and successful when given a big to work with, scoring 56 total points in 54 minutes primarily through proficiency in the pick-and-roll and use of off-ball screens.
2)
After Sunday’s win over Denver, Russell waxed on about identity. On a personal level, he has chosen to take a “business-like” approach to his second season, which he says applies to “every weight I lift, every practice, every shot I shoot.” For the team as a whole, Russell claims that they are missing that sense of identity, and that finding their calling card will be an important task this season.
3)
Russell offered that a potential identity for his young squad would be to “get out and run, get stops and have fun.” They sure did run through the first week of preseason, ranking second in the NBA in pace with 107.0 possessions per game. That created plenty of offense on Sunday, as the Lakers piled up 124 points on 53.1 percent shooting, including a 14-of-28 mark on 3-pointers.
4)
Head coach Luke Walton is hoping that his team pays added focus to defensive rebounding and foul aversion versus Portland. Against a physical frontcourt, Los Angeles allowed 15 offensive rebounds in each game versus the Nuggets. It has also given away more and more easy points at the charity stripe, as Sacramento shot 31 free throws in the preseason opener before Denver attempted 75 total last weekend.
5)
Portland surprised many last year by capturing the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoffs despite receiving low expectations after LaMarcus Aldridge left for San Antonio. The Blazers return almost all of their key players this season — including Damian Lillard, who seemingly always steps up against the Lakers. They also added a pair of valuable free agents in Festus Ezeli — who is still recovering from knee surgery — and Evan Turner.
Note: At Tuesday morning shootaround, Walton said that starting small forward Luol Deng — who has missed both of the last two exhibitions due to a bruised left knee — is probable to play against Portland.
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes in L.A. NBA TV everywhere else.
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW