After inexplicably losing the first game of their first-round series, the Lakers are back on track and find themselves in exactly the position most experts predicted at the start of the postseason: ready to close out the Portland Trail Blazers in five games.
But even though the Lakers have firmly taken hold of this series, and will face a shorthanded Portland team without Damian Lillard in their next game, a closeout game presents new challenges.
“It’s always the most difficult game in a series,” head coach Frank Vogel said before practice Tuesday.