By Law Murray and Anthony Slater
May 7, 2023
The Lakers bounced back from a steep Game 2 loss to put up a commanding 127-97 win over the Warriors in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series, taking a 2-1 lead Saturday at home. Here’s what you need to know:
- Los Angeles center Anthony Davis led all scorers with 25 points and added 13 rebounds, four blocks and three steals. LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell each put up 21 points.
- Stephen Curry paced Golden State with 23 points on 9-of-21 shooting (4-of-10 from 3-point range). The Warriors as a whole shot 39.6 percent from the field.
- The Lakers went 28-of-37 from the free-throw line while the Warriors made 12 of 17 free-throw attempts.
- Game 4 is Monday at 10 p.m. ET.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Los Angeles stifles Golden State’s offense
The Lakers fell into an 11-point hole early in the second quarter as Russell cooled off and James spent the opening quarter deferring to his teammates. In the first 15 minutes, the Warriors were still on pace to hit 20 more 3s, just as they did in the first two games of the series in Golden State. But this game changed once the Lakers started forcing turnovers and drawing fouls.
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By halftime, the Lakers had outscored the Warriors 17-4 off turnovers and 15-4 from the free-throw line. James and Davis’ ability to draw fouls and limit the Warriors’ offense from doing anything right outside of Curry’s shotmaking ensured that the 22-point turnaround from the second quarter would sustain and define Game 3. — Murray
GO DEEPERLakers capitalize on free-throw advantage to win Game 3 vs. WarriorsThird quarter was again a difference-maker
In Game 2, the Warriors embarrassed the Lakers, leading by 30 by the end of the third quarter. The Lakers returned the favor in Game 3, leading by as many as 34 points. That’s a 45-point turnaround, with garbage time littered with dunks and layups. But this series was tied at 1-1, and the Lakers needed to maintain home-court advantage. The stakes weren’t as high Saturday in Game 3 as they’ll be Monday night in Game 4.
If the Lakers got a jolt from how Game 2 played out and got their home crowd Saturday night, they can expect the Warriors to respond accordingly to getting humiliated — especially with the Lakers seeking a 3-1 lead. — Murray
What went wrong for the Warriors?
Let’s start with the disaster second quarter. They were up 40-29. That’s when Klay Thompson wasn’t even looking as Curry tossed a hit-ahead pass in transition. Curry yelled in frustration. It was one of nine second-quarter turnovers and the sign of an impending crumble.
Moses Moody got whistled for a flagrant for tripping Davis. Draymond Green and JaMychal Green argued their way into technicals. Draymond was strapped to the bench in foul trouble. The Warriors only scored 18 points in the second quarter and had a 30-8 run put on them to close the half, going from up 11 to down 11. — Slater
GO DEEPERHow many times can the Warriors flop like this?What questions must be answered before a massive Game 4?
Does Golden State stick with JaMychal Green in the starting lineup? It worked well in Game 2, but the Lakers counter-adjusted their matchups and pulled Davis off Draymond Green, letting him muck up the paint again. JaMychal Green missed all three of his 3s and the Warriors were outscored by 11 points in his 10 minutes. They could shift even smaller and go to Jordan Poole, but he isn’t playing particularly well. Their traditional starters (adding Kevon Looney) have always been coach Steve Kerr’s security blanket, but the spacing is crunched and Looney’s recent sickness appears to have sapped some of his impact.
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The Warriors mostly just need better showings from their big names. Draymond Green fouled five times and was limited to 23 minutes. Thompson missed nine of his 14 shots and committed six turnovers. Curry was quiet. — Slater
Highlight of the game
THE HUSTLE FROM LEBRON 😤 pic.twitter.com/dLCienpqgn
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 7, 2023
Key stat
In Game 2, the Warriors scored 84 points combined in the second and third quarters (43 and 41 points). In Game 3, they scored just 38(18 and 20 points).
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Required reading
- D’Angelo Russell unplugged: On no longer being ‘held back,’ his role with the Lakers, upcoming free agency and more
- Thompson: The Warriors are stuck in their house of horrors. Can they find a way out?
- Amick: Why the Lakers’ best chance vs. Warriors might be at the free-throw line
- Hollinger: On Steve Kerr, two Mikes (Budenholzer and Malone) and the ‘job we chose’
(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today)
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