How Do the Blazers Stop Luka Doncic?

The Portland Trail Blazers have started the season 2-0, but their next matchup comes with a major test: stopping one of the best scorers on the planet.

Portland has not yet faced a team like the one waiting at Crypto.com Arena. After a decisive win in the opener against Phoenix, 124-83, and beating Sacramento 128-120, Portland meets the Lakers and Luka Doncic on Tuesday.

There was some encouragement leading up to Sunday. Before Sunday afternoon's game against the Utah Jazz, Doncic was averaging 25.5 points on 38.5% shooting. He committed a career-high 11 turnovers against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

That encouragement has now turned into a sense of dread leading in to Tuesday.

On Sunday, Doncic went ballistic. He scored 52 points on 17-for-30 shooting and went 8-for-18 from behind the arc. After trailing by 18 in the first quarter, Doncic took over and led the Lakers to a vintage comeback win. The Lakers won 132-123.

Here is how Portland can contain Doncic:

1. Guard him with one defender, and save the extra help for late in the shot clock.

In the game against the Clippers, Doncic was constantly surrounded by two or three defenders. Doncic's teammate Austin Reaves found wide-open shots and went 10-for-13 from the field.

Toumani Camara should take the first assignment of trying to contain Doncic, with Jrue Holiday as the curveball. Portland should save the house for the end of the shot clock.

2. Jam Walker Kessler on rolls.

The Lakers' center scored 2 points on Sunday and only took two shots. In the opener against Golden State, Kessler found easy buckets down low after rolling in the high pick-and-roll. Kessler went a perfect 12-for-12 from the field and finished with 26 points.

Jamming him on the roll will more than likely force Doncic into tough mid-range pull-up jumpers instead of a free run at the basket or short-lobs to Kessler.

3. They must keep him away from the line.

When his shot isn't falling, Doncic still finds a way to attack the basket and get to the free-throw line. He shot 11 free throws on Sunday. Portland needs to defend with its feet and keep its hands off him.

4. "Hide" Damian Lillard and Ja Morant.

Doncic will hunt for his matchups. Morant is 6-foot-2 and 174 pounds. Lillard is no bigger. Coach Micah Nori must put both on the Lakers' least threatening options. On the other end, they need to run Lillard and Deni Avdija in two-man actions at Doncic. Portland ranks tied for second in points per game with 126.0, so it can afford to make him work on the defensive end.