The NBA world celebrated “Mamba Day” on Aug. 24. 8/24 was picked as an homage to the two numbers Kobe Bryant wore — 8 and 24 — during his decorated career with the Los Angeles Lakers. For their part, this current Lakers team made sure that they would honor the fallen legend by coming out to play some outstanding basketball.

Los Angeles destroyed the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, 135-115, en route to securing a 3-1 series lead. The Lakers have now won three straight after losing Game 1, and they're on the brink of finishing the Blazers off Monday's win had a number of significant talking points, with most of them pertaining to how L.A. has been able to reassert themselves as the firm favorites to come out of this first-round series.

The Blazers may have shocked them by stealing away Game 1, but the Lakers have proven in the succeeding three games — and most especially in Monday's demolition job — that absolutely no one should count them out as one of the favorites to go all the way this season.

For starters, we have to take a look at why the Lakers lost Game 1 in the first place. Sure there were a ton of factors involved that led to Portland's surprise win — including another heroic performance by Lillard — but one cannot factor out the key role L.A.'s lackluster shooting from distance played in their opening-game defeat.

Lakers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis

In Game 1, the Lakers went a woeful 5-of-32 from rainbow territory. They had an off night from distance — to put it nicely — while the Blazers made their shots down the stretch. Over the next three games, L.A. shot 41-of-107 from 3-point territory, upping their clip to 38.3% as a team. The law of averages ensured that it was only a matter of time before the Lakers started making their shots, and the results have been undeniably favorable for them.

Another important aspect to note in Game 4 is that the Lakers came out firing right away. They outscored their opponent 43-25 in the first quarter alone, which they followed up with another 37 points in the second frame as opposed to Portland's 26. By halftime, the Lakers had already amassed an insurmountable 29-point lead. They never looked back.

The Lakers came into this one with so much focus and determination. So much so, that it now seems that losing Game 1 was exactly what this team needed to jolt them back into life. It is no secret that they had a so-so run during the seeding games, which looked even worse when they lost their first game in the playoffs. However, the Lakers have bounced back in a huge way, and they're clearly rounding into championship form.

Last but not least, we have to give a ton of credit to LeBron James, who continues to amaze us with his dominance. This was on full display again on Monday, as he put up 30 points on a highly efficient 10-of-12 shooting (4-of-5 from distance), along with six rebounds, 10 assists, and a block in just 28 minutes played. LeBron was very efficient with his limited run in Game 5, and head coach Frank Vogel was able to have his superstar sit out a big chunk of the second half due to the lopsided nature of the game. This can only bode well for James, who we fully expect to flex his muscles again on Wednesday in L.A.'s first chance to close out the series.

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Lakers, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant

Unfortunately for the Blazers, their time seems to be up. They had a furious run in the seeding games, and the fatigue — both physically and mentally — appears to have caught up to them already at this point. It is also worth noting that Lillard was forced to exit Game 4 due to a knee issue, and he's set to have a second MRI on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury. It remains to be seen if he will be able to suit up for Game 5 (knowing Lillard, he most likely will), but even if he does, he won't be a hundred percent. In the end, it might not even matter.

After going through a road bump to open their first postseason appearance after a seven-year drought, the Lakers are now back on track. They have reestablished themselves as one of the biggest threats to this year's title, as they hope to bring the championship back to Los Angeles after 10 long years. For those who may have forgotten, the last time the Lakers won the NBA title was back in 2010, and naturally, the man who lifted that trophy was none other than Kobe Bryant.