If you ask Portland fans who their team’s biggest rival is undoubtedly the most popular answer will be the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Blazers have faced the hated Lakers eleven times in the Playoffs and the two teams have been involved in many memorable series, games and moments.
It is fitting then that the NBA has chosen Moda Center as the venue for LeBron’s Laker debut, against a Portland team under pressure after last season’s Playoff failure.
Here are some random stats & facts ahead of tomorrow’s game:
1. Portland owns a 32-10 regular season mark against the Lakers at Moda Center.
2. The Lakers last registered a win in the Rose City on March 3, 2014. Portland is 7-0 since that 1 point Los Angeles win.
3. The Lakers have played their season opener in Portland on one previous occasion, winning 96-86 on 31st October 2000.
4. The Blazers opened their season against the Lakers at home on two other occasions (LA had played already) and won both games in 2002 & 2012.
5. Luke Walton has never won a game as Lakers Coach against the Blazers. Terry Stotts boasts a perfect 7-0 record in their matchups.
6. Walton is the only current NBA Coach who’s Father has a jersey retired by an NBA franchise. Bill Walton’s #32 was retired by the Blazers on opening night in 1989.
7. LeBron James averages 26.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 14 career games in Portland, he has shot 48.7 percent from the field.
8. LeBron has lost his last 5 games in Portland (Miami won in 2013 but LeBron was inactive) by an average margin of 14.8 points. He has not recorded a win at the venue since March 1st 2012. His overall record is 6-8, (4-7 with Cleveland 2-1 with the Heat).
9. The Blazers biggest win at Moda Center against LA was by 27 points on April 13, 1999. LA’s biggest victory was 17 on February 6, 2010.
10. Both teams recorded their highest score at Moda Center against each other in the same game when Portland recorded a 128-120 double overtime victory on April 14, 2002.
Enjoy the game everyone!
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