Rondo, the veteran Lakers point guard, who has been out and recovering from surgery on his right thumb, could play Saturday. Miami is resting and waiting for the second round, where it’ll face the winner of this series. I compare us to us.”The Lakers were fully aware of the challenge they would face against from the talented Blazers entering the series, led by All-Star guard Damian Lillard.“This team was in the conference finals last year,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. The veteran forward’s scoring punch in the seeding games was an added bonus, but he’s averaging 6.5 points on 24% shooting against the Lakers.More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports —Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) reacts during the third quarter of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) reacts during the third quarter of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP)Connect with the definitive source for global and local news Milwaukee was great in its two series closeout opportunities last year, beating Detroit and Boston by a combined 48 points, and would benefit from a similar effort Wednesday.— NEED TO KNOW: The Rockets have 77 3-pointers already in this series, putting them on pace to be the first team in NBA history to make 100 in a single series. The margin for error is razor-thin for both sides now.— NEED TO KNOW: LeBron James’ teams are 13-0 all-time in first-round series, on the cusp now of making that 14-0 and getting the Lakers to the second round for the first time since 2012. Miami is resting and waiting for the second round, where it’ll face the winner of this series. Milwaukee Bucks’ Marvin Williams (20) celebrates with teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) after an NBA basketball first round playoff game against the Orlando Magic Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. “So, we’ve got to be just as desperate as they are.”— NEED TO KNOW: If the Bucks win, the Eastern Conference first round would be completed in just 17 games. Though Oklahoma City still lost, its offense looked more like normal with the team’s leading scorer bouncing back. Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 20 rebounds.Game 1 was humbling for the team with the league’s best record. The Rockets took a 3-2 lead with a 114-80 victory earlier Saturday.CJ McCollum had 36 points for the surprisingly scrappy Trail Blazers, who played without injured All-Star guard Damian Lillard. 1 of 6. Magic coach Steve Clifford sounded far from certain Tuesday that Gordon would play.— PRESSURE IS ON: The Bucks. He was 3 for 4 from 3-point range in Game 4, suggesting he might be in a rhythm. He is averaging eight points and shooting 25% from the field for the series, down from his 20.9 scoring average during the regular season.— NEED TO KNOW: The Lakers got a dominant performance from Anthony Davis in Game 2 -- 31 points and 11 rebounds.

Lakers, Bucks look to clinch second-round berths Wednesday. The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks have restored some sense of normalcy to these anything-but-normal NBA playoffs. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright turned back the clock with a complete game on his 39th birthday as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cleveland Indians 7-2 Sunday.The oldest active player in the majors, Wainwright threw a four-hitter for his 23rd career complete game and first in four years. “They have the ability to be one of the best teams in the NBA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.ST. The Magic ran out to a double-digit lead early in Game 1, so the start might be an indicator of how the game will go.— KEEP AN EYE ON: Brook Lopez. “We felt we weren’t the team that we are and capable of being. It was only a week ago when the sky was falling on the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. He scored 22 points in Game 2, but he made just 5 of 14 shots.— PRESSURE IS ON: T.J. Warren. He has not played in the playoffs. Khris Middleton scored 30 points and Brook Lopez added 28 as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 115-101 on Tuesday night.