Without Luka Doncic, LeBron James leads the way against the Warriors

Despite a 2/17 triple to start the match, the Warriors take the lead with the Lakers losing five balls and thanks to Gary Payton II in the oven and the mill (17-10). Austin Reeves (16 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds) and Neo-Laker Luke Kennard (10 points) wakes his team up 8-0, but, after several turnovers, Golden State enjoys an offensive rebound and takes the lead at the end of the first quarter (21-20).

However, it was the Warriors’ turn to spend the ball, and LeBron James used the opportunity to give Los Angeles the advantage (29-27). JJ Redick’s men are switching to a zone defense, but their rotations are close. Golden State then found some skill, and Pat Spencer (14 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds), Moses Moody (25 points) and Brandin Podziemski (14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) paid off the opposing defense. It’s also Spencer’s buzzer beater over LeBron James that gives the Warriors their slimmest halftime lead (42-41).

LeBron James puts the Lakers into orbit

After returning from the locker room, the king took matters into his own hands: he scored 12 points in less than three minutes, and LA led by nine points (53-44)! Stunned, the Warriors try to respond by still abusing long-range shooting, but Jared Vanderbilt (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Marcus Smart (15 points) don’t let up the pressure (70-59). Aggressive Austin Reaves increases the deficit to +12, but Golden State remains. Two 3-pointers by Moses Moody limit the damage before the final quarter (76-71).

Every time the Warriors show up, Rui Hachimura (18 points) scores an important basket to keep them at bay (86-77). As in Phoenix, Steve Kerr’s men did not give up and managed to rally again. Four defensive stops and three triples by Pat Spencer, Draymond Green (9 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds) and Guy Santos (15 points, 8 rebounds) reduced the gap to one unit (89-88).

After Austin Reeves and the skill of Luke Kennard, the Lakers inflicted a 9-0 on the opponents in two minutes and regained the lead of twelve steps (100-88). This time, the Warriors are truly knocked out, and Los Angeles is cruising to a well-deserved victory.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

The Lakers are still undefeated when leading after three quarters. In a difficult half, the Lakers took control of the match in the third quarter thanks to LeBron James’ 12 points in three minutes, but also better turnover management (13 in the first half, 3 in the third quarter). They scored 38 points in this period and when the Lakers led after 36 minutes of play, they had 23 wins and 0 losses.

Free throws make the difference. By dominating the offensive rebounding and forcing 22 turnovers on the Lakers, the Warriors finished the game with 23 more attempts than their opponents. Unfortunately for them, they made just 42% of their shots and 27% of their 51 3-pointers. The Lakers made up 30 free throws, 19 more than Golden State, to make up the difference.

Golden State’s other knives are not enough. Still without Stephen Curry, who is scheduled to be out until the All-Star Game, the Warriors continue to struggle to score points. Despite six players with 9 or more points, this is the third game in a row in which they did not exceed 100 points (94, 97, 99).

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.