The Lakers breathe with their first win in the 'playoffs' after eight years

LeBron James' Lakers obtained a victory against Portland that they desperately needed (111-88). After losing the first game to the Blazers, the Los Angeles team was in danger of being out of shape very soon in a playoffs to which it returns after seven years of absence and in which it did not achieve a victory for eight. In 2013, the team led by Mike D'Antoni and with the base that had obtained the titles in 2009 and 2010, with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, began to show symptoms of the deep crisis that awaited them and lost 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Lakers, having dominated the regular phase of the Western Conference, aspire to return to the top of the hand of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But doubts hang over a team that cannot be counted by Avery Bradley, who gave up competing in the bubble due to the illness of one of his sons, and Rajon Rondo, who is recovering from an injury.

The first loss to the Blazers amplified unease within Frank Vogel's team. Anthony Davis, with his ability to dominate the game and, with 31 points and 11 rebounds, dispelled the worst prospects and captained the victory of the Lakers. Although LeBron James missed much more than usual, with 6 rebounds and 7 assists for only 10 points, three missed triples and a 4-for-11 shooting series, in addition to 6 turnovers, the Lakers played much better and above all they showed greater defensive efficiency.

The Blazers crashed in attack, especially their two stars. Damian Lillard, who averages 30 points this season, 37 in games played in the Disney World bubble, stayed at 18, and also dislocated a finger on his left hand. Even worse were McCollum, who scored 13 points, Carmelo Anthony, who only scored one basket, and Nurkic, who stayed at 9 points.

The Milwaukee Bucks, the best team in the regular season of the championship, also came out of the predicament it was in after its first loss to Orlando, and dominated the second game (111-96). Giannis Antetokounmpo made use of his talent and with 28 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists, he allied with Brook Lopez, with 20 points, Connaughton, with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Bledsoe, with 13 points, to impose a rhythm that he could not resist Orlando, despite the excellence of the Montenegrin center, Nikola Vucevic, author of 32 points and 10 rebounds.

Rockets hit 56 3-pointers

The Houston Rockets marked distances with Oklahoma City and made it 2-0 in the series after beating 111-98. D'Antony's team, which is shooting an average of 45 3-pointers this season, shot 56 this time. He scored 19 (34% correct). James Harden didn't need to even come close to the 34.3 average that has made him the NBA's leading scorer again this season. Against the Magic, he only scored two of the 11 triples he threw, but with 21 points and 9 assists, he added to the contributions of House, with 19 points, and Jeff Green and Eric Gordon, with 15 each. The Rockets keep their options despite Russell Westbrook's injury loss.

THE 'PLAYOFFS'

Eastern Conference

Milwaukee, 111; Orlando, 96 (1-1)

Indiana, 100; Miami, 109 (0-2)

Boston, 128; Philadelphia, 101 (2-0)

Toronto, 104; Brooklyn, 99 (2-0)

This Friday: Brooklyn-Toronto (7.30pm)

Early morning from Friday to Saturday: Philadelphia-Boston (00.30)

Western Conference

Lakers, 111; Portland, 88 (1-1)

Houston, 111; Oklahoma, 98 (2-0)

Denver, 105; Utah, 124 (1-1)

Clippers, 114; Dallas, 127 (1-1)

This Friday and Utah-Indiana (22.00).

Early morning from Friday to Saturday: Dallas-Clippers (3.00)

THE CALENDAR

All series, best of seven games.

On August 31, the Conference semifinals will begin

On September 15, the Conference finals will begin

On September 30 the final will begin and, if necessary, the seventh game will be on October 13.