Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, and fellow All-Star Khris Middleton combined to push East’s top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks past eighth-seeded Orlando Magic to take a commanding 3-1 lead.
The Miami Heat swept the fourth-seed Indiana Pacers with a 99-87 Game 4 victory, while Oklahoma City Thunder erased a 15-point, third-quarter gap to post a second consecutive victory, 117-114 and tie the NBA playoff series at 2-2 vs the Houston Rockets.
Portland TrailBlazers 115 – 135 Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers dominated the Portland TrailBlazers on Monday night, winning 135-115 to take a 3-1 advantage in their playoff series. The Los Angeles Lakers wore special “Black Mamba” jerseys to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant in Game 4 on Monday in the NBA quarantine bubble in Florida. The Lakers also wore a special patch bearing the No.2 in a heart as they paid tribute to Bryant’s daughter Gianna as well.
James had 30 points and 10 assists in 28 minutes before moving to the bench late in the 3rd quarter. The Lakers led by as many as 38 points for their third straight win in the opening-round series. Anthony Davis added 18 points in 18 minutes for the Lakers before leaving the game midway through the third with back spasms and could miss out on the next game.
Monday was also ‘Kobe Bryant Day’ in Los Angeles, where the city is honoring the five-time NBA champion with a move to rename the downtown road in front of the Staples Center arena after him.
On Sunday, Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers paid tribute to Bryant with a pre-game ceremony before their 11-3 win over Colorado Rockies.The Dodgers donned Bryant’s No. 8 and 24 jerseys and the team played a video tribute.
LeBron said : “When I looked up and saw we were up 24-8, I was like, okay, he’s here in the building. It’s a beautiful, beautiful night for our franchise and something we will always remember – this moment.”
👑 @KingJames' EFFICIENT night (30 PTS, 10 AST, 10-12 FGM) pushes the @Lakers ahead 3-1 vs. POR! #NBAPlayoffs
Game 5 ⏩ Wed. (8/26) at 9 PM ET on TNT pic.twitter.com/k9hVx8UAIo
— NBA (@NBA) August 25, 2020
TrailBlazers Fading Away ?
The Trail Blazers won the opener but have appeared to struggle considerably in the past two games. To make matters worse, Blazers star Damian Lillard will undergo an MRI after exiting Monday night’s Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers with a right knee injury.
Lillard exited the game just past the halfway mark in the third quarter, with Portland trailing by 29 points. He was ruled out shortly after leaving the match.
It was a tough night for the Blazers star, who recorded 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting in 27 minutes.
Lillard is averaging 30.0 points, 8.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds this season, but his impact on the floor lately has earned him the Bubble MVP award.
The Lakers, the top seed in the Western Conference, can move to the next round of the playoffs in Game 5 on Wednesday.
Other NBA Results of the Day :
Oklahoma City Thunder 117 – 114 Houston Rockets (Tied at 2-2)
Miami Heat 99 – 87 Indiana Pacers (MIA win 4-0)
Milwaukee Bucks 121 – Orlando Magic 106 ( MIL lead 3-1)
ALSO READ :
Lakers to Honour Kobe Bryant with “Black Mamba” Jerseys for Game 4 vs Blazers
