The Morning Wrap shares the day’s top five stories from our reporters at the Southern California Newspaper Group. … Sign up to have our top sports stories delivered to your inbox with our daily newsletters
ONE: What are the three trends that will define the Lakers, Rockets series as they prepare for Game 3 tonight after the Lakers won Sunday to tie the series, 1-1. Helping the Lakers cause on Sunday was a big game from reserve forward Markieff Morris, who admitted he needed to be better.
The Lakers and Rockets are even. Each team has seen its path to winning the series realized. Three trends that will define the rest of the games, starting with Game 3 tomorrow night: https://t.co/geqqNUv285
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) September 8, 2020
LeBron on the versatility of the Lakers’ roster: “Be able time play vs big teams, be able to play small, be able to play in between — we built that from the beginning and we have that, always have that in our toolbox.” pic.twitter.com/1QuO0geEDB
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) September 7, 2020
TWO: Paul George had a big game and Kawhi Leonard’s (middle finger) block late in the game helped the Clippers hold off the Nuggets to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven second round playoff series. The Clippers weren’t the best defensively, but they were when it mattered, writes columnist Mark Whicker.
Nikola Jokic is great, Paul George says, so what the the Clippers need for Ivica Zubac to do is “make it tough for him.” (
: @kylegoon) pic.twitter.com/e7Z4zjKgd6
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) September 8, 2020
Kawhi Leonard tells @Farbod_E that Paul George has been consistent with his rebounding, playmaking, defense. “Now he’s making shots, I’m happy for him.” (
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) September 8, 2020
Game 3 was a bit up and down — until the Clippers put their foot down: “We just decided we didn’t want to lose this game.”
So they didn’t: Clippers 113, Nuggets 107.
L.A. leads the series, 2-1.https://t.co/JNpouGVPdm
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) September 8, 2020
Pat Riley used to say that an NBA playoff series does not begin until the home team loses — but what does that mean in this “Bubble-wrapped postseason?” @MWhicker03LANG explores the notion:https://t.co/7Nz9ZGoDnc
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) September 8, 2020
THREE: With the NFL’s season opener on Thursday and its first full schedule on Sunday, reporter Kevin Modesti writes the league expects the unexpected when it comes to COVID-19 and how it will impact the season. Also, when the Rams open the season with the Cowboys on Sunday, they may try a three running back roation.
Rams plan three-running-backs ‘rotation’ vs. Cowboys, Sean McVay says
FOUR: Chargers reporter Gilbert Manzano notes that Sam Tevi has been named the starting left tackle for Sunday’s season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. And here are some Twitter takes from Manzano.
Anthony Lynn on LT Sam Tevi: “I thought Sam got better as camp went on and I loved the way he finished camp. … Sam Tevi is our starter right now.” #Chargers
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) September 7, 2020
Anthony Lynn said he hasn’t named a starting strong safety for Sunday: “We’re still looking at different combinations.” #Chargers
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) September 7, 2020
Anthony Lynn on Bengals rookie QB Joe Burrow: Joe is a winner. What he did in one year (at LSU) was unbelievable … Our hands are going to be full dealing with Joe. #Chargers
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) September 7, 2020
FIVE: The Dodgers and Angels were both off Monday, but it wasn’t a vacation day for Dodgers reporter Bill Plunkett or Angels beat writer Jeff Fletcher. With the playoffs nearing, can the Dodgers’ bullpen be trusted this time, Plunkett writes. The Angels have won a season best five straight, and are even thinking the playoffs aren’t an impossibility. And one of the big reasons for the turnaround is the play of Justin Upton, writes Fletcher.
#Dodgers coverage: It is the question that comes up every year. Can you learn to trust again? There is reason to believe https://t.co/tU2KS2Xq5x
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 7, 2020
Justin Upton was in a 1 for 39 before his homer on Aug. 24, and he’s hit .382 with an 1.197 OPS since then.https://t.co/DahOdJUTrq
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) September 7, 2020
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