Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Game 2 of the first round series between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Lakers came with higher stakes than much of Laker Nation would have hoped. They turned in a disappoint effort in Game 1, after years of waiting to return to the postseason. Another loss would spell disaster for Laker fans everywhere, and to some, seal their fate to a first round exit.

But, much to their pleasure, the Lakers turned in a performance that should undoubtedly remind the Blazers and the entire NBA that they were indeed the team that ran the gauntlet of a Western Conference with ease, winning 111-88 and evening the series at one game apiece.

The Lakers suffocated the Blazer attack, rotating well, closing hard on shooters without fouling, and once again rightfully dominated the glass.

As expected, the Lakers replaced 15% from deep with 37%, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anthony Davis leading the way with three and four triples, respectfully. The team also flipped 35% from the field into nearly 50%, converting more efficiently at the rim.

The aforementioned KCP and AD were the Lakers’ two brightest standouts, each redeeming themselves of their lackluster Game 1 outings. KCP got the Lakers rolling by getting hot from deep right from the tip, and Davis was active early and often, wreaking havoc on the Blazers, who had no answer for him. He finished with 31-11-3 and shot 62% overall.

Danny Green struggled again offensively, but attacked the basket aggressively, and made up for his shortcomings with 4 steals. Credit Green for remaining steadfast on the defensive end in light of his offensive drought.

Javale McGee only totaled a little under 13 minutes of action, but his effort on both ends to begin each half gave the Lakers a great boost towards shaking their sluggish starts. McGee is always hit or miss in terms of production, but his energy and drive has never missed a game in his two seasons in Tinseltown.

Head coach Frank Vogel indeed shook up his rotations by inserting the Henny God himself JR Smith into the lineup to start the 2nd quarter. Smith couldn’t cash in on some wide open looks, but ultimately gave the Lakers’ second unit a refreshing new look. It will be interesting if Vogel goes this route again with Smith as the second guard off the bench behind Alex Caruso over Dion Waiters, who appeared briefly in the second as well, then only again with the ‘mop up’ unit late.

I noticed Dion looking somewhat at odds when Quinn Cook was taking a majority of those garbage time shots over him, but I could be overanalyzing. Cook has done this almost every time the Lakers insert him late into games that have been long decided in the fourth, but again, I could be poking around into a bunch of nothing.

Another positive about the Lakers’ surgical dismantling of Portland was it came without overly-expending LeBron James and AD, who both played under 30 minutes in the win. In the minutes he did play (in which the game was still potentially in the balance), James was more assertive to find his own shot on drives as opposed to being passive. As predicted, the fact that the Lakers knocked down shots didn’t allow the Blazers to clog the painted area as much as they did in Game 1, making life easier for James and Davis.

The Lakers left little up for scrutiny in this win, but I wouldn’t count our chickens just yet. Damian Lillard’s long distance bombs didn’t fall tonight, but they will rear their ugly head again in this series. The Laker backcourt did well to contest the likes of Lillard, CJ McCollum, and others, which with a great jump shooting team is the best you can do: close hard, leave as little airspace you can between you and them without fouling, and harass them from line to line. The Lakers did so effectively tonight, and must do so in Game 3 to regain command of the series.

Especially since this blowout win will be all Dame Dolla needs to motivate him Saturday to exact his revenge.

The Lakers piping hot shooting night was euphoric to watch, but repeating it will be difficult. They must come out swinging again to set the tone early like they did in Game 2, and for the rest of the foreseeable postseason. Effort on the defensive end leading to easy, fast-break offense will help.

Portland is also incredibly well coached, and will make adjustments to keep the purple and gold from gaining even more momentum. If anything, this was a wake up call to show them why this team is a Finals favorite, and they’ll look to throw a strong counter punch. Another outing like tonight to ‘put them in their place’ could turn the tide for good.

But the Lakers took care of business, in every sense of the phrase.

See you Saturday.

Cheers.