The riots started on April 29 after a trial jury acquitted four police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department of the use of excessive force in the videotaped arrest and beating of Rodney King, following a high-speed police chase. On March 3rd the NBA Playoff game between the LA Lakers and the Portland Trailblazers was moved at the Last minute from the Forum, the game was played before an enthusiastic pro-Laker crowd of 15,478 in Nevada Las Vegas' Thomas & Mack Center. The Lakers, shaken by the violence in their community, played hard but not well. The lakers lost the "home" game far from home, 102-76, to the Portland Trail Blazers, who won the series, 3-1.

KGW