NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers

1. How do the Lakers handle Damian Lillard?

37.6 points per game in the bubble. 51.3 a night in his last four outings, where 31 felt like a disappointment. Damian Lillard is on a historic tear that’d be difficult for LA to slow even at full strength.

That being said, Avery Bradley isn’t the all-encompassing answer to Lillard, who shot 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from deep with eight free-throw attempts when guarded by Bradley during the regular season.

Bradley’s absence simply highlights the lack of alternatives the Lakers can throw at Lillard. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope lacks quickness. Alex Caruso doesn’t have the reps. Even if he returns in time, Rajon Rondo ranks No. 1 on the Lakers in points surrendered per 100 possessions — per Cleaning The Glass.

Without players to trust individually, LA’s best bet might be to simply trap Lillard with every step past halfcourt. Doing so leaves the Lakers open to the 4-3 set an elite passing big like Nurkic can exploit. Better Nurkic doing the damage or anyone else on the Blazers than a player with three 60-point games this season.

There might not be any stopping Lillard given the momentum he’s built up in the bubble. His heroics have pushed Portland into the playoffs. You slow him, you slow the Blazers. Easier said than done for even the best defenses. Far more so for a Lakers bunch compromised on the perimeter.