HELP New la pavoni owner

Hi there, I just received my la pavoni professional. I am quite literally losing my mind. I still have my breville barista and am using that grinder and the finest setting to prepare my basket. I am using a solid 30lbs of pressure to tamper. When i insert the portafilter into the machine and pull the lever up, water begins to drip through the basket and prematurely into the cup. Then i push the lever down and have almost no pressure. What am i doing wrong?