Lakers vs. Trail Blazers NBA Cup preview, Digi Mart USA News (Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles): The Los Angeles Lakers (7-2) are back home to host a rematch with the Portland Trail Blazers (6-1) on Friday. The game also serves as an NBA Cup contest, with both teams competing in West Group C.
The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT on Nov. 6 at Crypto.com Arena and will air on Spectrum Sportsnet One.
One of the Lakers’ two losses this season came against Portland, which beat them on their home floor last week.
That game exposed early Lakers weaknesses, including poor rebounding, an over-reliance on Luka Dončić and overall team defense. The Lakers have since done better in addressing those issues, and Friday offers a chance to even the score.
Portland’s Ja Morant, who scored 23 points in the Blazers’ earlier win, will not play. He is recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring injury.
Deni Avdija, Damian Lillard and Scoot Henderson, who replaced Morant in the starting lineup, are expected to receive more touches.
Defense will be a key factor for the Lakers. In the previous meeting, Los Angeles allowed Portland to shoot 50% from beyond the arc and gave up 56 points in the paint.
Portland is the league’s seventh-best rebounding team and ranks in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating, leading the league with 121.9 points per game.
The Lakers also face questions about their NBA Cup focus. After losing their opener to the Warriors, they are 0-1 with a concerning -17 point differential.
To keep their chances of advancing alive, they will likely need to win by larger margins.
Injury notes: Sandro Mamukelashvili (illness) is listed as questionable for the Lakers. Bronny James Jr.
and Cameron Carr will play for the Coachella Valley Lakers in the G League. For Portland, Vit Krejci (left ankle fracture), Ja Morant (left hamstring strain) and Shaedon Sharpe (right meniscus surgery) are out.
