Lakers vs. Trail Blazers: What to watch in NBA Cup rematch

In the first matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Portland Trail Blazers with 129 combined points. Luka Dončić scored 41 points for Los Angeles, but the Blazers secured their first loss of the season. The Lakers (7-2) are set to face the Trail Blazers (6-1) again on Friday at Crypto.com Arena for a rematch of their NBA Cup game. Both teams have won three consecutive games, with Los Angeles recovering from a 116-103 victory against Sacramento and Portland defeating Phoenix 132-119.

Three key factors to watch for in the upcoming game:

1. Can the Lakers capitalize on their shooting edge? While Portland leads the NBA in points per game (121.9) and attempts more three-pointers (43.4), Los Angeles shoots more efficiently (51.2% overall and 38.8% from beyond the arc). The Lakers struggle with turnovers, averaging 17.7 per game, which makes their shooting less reliable.

2. How will the Lakers defend Damian Lillard and Damian Lillard's replacement, Deni Avdija? Portland's star duo scored 44 points in the first game and returned to form by hitting a late three-pointer. The Lakers will need to prevent them from drawing fouls and getting to the line, as they committed 29 fouls in their last meeting, forcing Portland to shoot 41 free throws and win 7-4.

Lillard and Avdija pose different challenges: Lillard's shooting range forces defenders to stay high on screens, while Avdija can attack the space behind them.

3. How important is the glass battle? Portland averages 47.4 rebounds per game compared to the Lakers' 39.9, including a 13.6 to 10.1 edge in offensive rebounds. When Portland secures long rebounds, they create open shots, especially due to their higher three-point attempts. The Lakers' wings must help on Clingan's drives, and their guards need to track rebounds outside the paint to create extra possessions. These factors could be crucial in a closely contested game.