Two unbeaten teams will meet under the Los Angeles lights Tuesday night, and each arrives with a different kind of early-season power. The Lakers were 3-0 through Sunday, Oct. 25, led by Luka Doncic’s steady command. Portland was 2-0, powered by Deni Avdija’s all-around force and a fierce advantage on the glass. One perfect start must bend when the Trail Blazers visit the Lakers at 11:00 p.m. EDT.

This is a first big chapter in the Lakers’ new story. Los Angeles has built its attack around Doncic, who controls the ball like a conductor leading an orchestra. He is averaging 34.3 points and eight assists, meaning he can punish a defense himself or spot the teammate left open by defenders rushing toward him. The Lakers have scored at least 125 points in all three games because Doncic and Austin Reaves keep creating good looks.

Reaves has been dazzling beside him, scoring 26.7 points per game while making a scorching 61.5 percent of his three-point shots. His ability to drive, pass, or pull up from deep stops defenders from focusing only on Doncic. Then comes Walker Kessler, the 7-foot-2 center who has given Los Angeles a giant target near the rim. Kessler is making more than 82 percent of his shots and blocking three shots per game. When Doncic draws two defenders, a quick pass to Kessler can become a dunk or a close shot.

Yet Portland brings a challenge the Lakers have not seen much of: a team that owns the boards. The Trail Blazers are pulling down 50.5 rebounds per game, far above Los Angeles’ 37. A rebound ends the other team’s turn or gives an offense another chance, so Donovan Clingan and Avdija could make every missed shot a battle. Clingan’s size matches Kessler’s, setting up a towering fight near the basket.

Avdija is Portland’s do-everything leader. At 6-foot-9, he can push the ball, drive through traffic, rebound, and find teammates. His 22 points, 8.5 rebounds, and five assists per game show why he is such a tricky matchup: a smaller defender may struggle with his strength, while a bigger defender may struggle to stay in front of him.

Portland also shares the ball beautifully, with 31 assists per game, and its 24.5-point average winning margin shows how quickly its first two wins became comfortable. Still, the Blazers will play without Shaedon Sharpe, removing an explosive scoring wing. That places even more pressure on Avdija, Jrue Holiday, and Portland’s other ball-handlers to create against a Lakers defense that averages 11 steals and 6.7 blocks.

The Lakers have committed too many turnovers early, averaging 16.3 per game, and Portland can turn loose passes into fast breaks. But Los Angeles has the sharper shooting attack, making 54.5 percent of its shots and 42.1 percent from deep. At home, with Doncic directing the action and Kessler available to protect the rim, the Lakers should win a thrilling battle between unbeaten Western teams.

Luka Doncic and Deni Avdija Bring Perfect Starts to Los Angeles