At 1-1 in a series, the Game 3 is still of paramount importance, both for the team that has reclaimed home field advantage away from its bases (Los Angeles) than for the one who abandoned him in his stronghold (Golden State).
A meeting under pressure, therefore, who first saw the Lakers take control of it, under the impetus of the tandem D’Angelo Russell — Anthony Davisbefore the Warriors do not rely on the quality of their shooters (Stephen Curry as well as Klay Thompson) and a porous opposing defense to reverse the trend. Until the “Purple & Gold” do what is necessary to take control, definitively, taking advantage of a collective collapse of the “Dubs” and a clear collective rise in power.
On arrival, this finally gives a victory in the large widths for the Los Angeles of LeBron James (127-97), which turns 2-1 in this conference semi-final against Golden State and which mainly responds to the spanking received from the defending champions in Game 2.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The Rise of Los Angeles. It took three quarters for the Lakers to take the measure of the Warriors, while in the second, they were nevertheless led by ten points and seemed to be next to their pumps tactically. But, taking advantage of the Warriors’ errors in attack, a rediscovered defense and an uncontrollable Anthony Davis on the inside, the “Purple & Gold” managed a… 30-8 to completely reverse the course of the game! Something to wake up, too, a certain LeBron James, discreet until then, and the second half only confirmed the obvious superiority of LA, en route to the “blowout”.
— Golden State lost its footing and did not get up again. At 40-29 in the second quarter, we imagined the Warriors coming to play spoilsport in Los Angeles, when they had no trouble blasting this Lakers defense which left them shooting in a chair behind the ‘bow. Except that Steve Kerr’s machine jammed and, between ball losses, forced shots or open door operation in the racket, the defending champions revived Los Angeles, which did not ask for so much. Outside, it was obviously difficult to pick up the thread of the game and nothing disturbed the locals, even in the second period.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The Russell-LeBron-Davis Trio. In turn, the three best Lakers players honored their status in this capital Game 3. It was first D’Angelo Russell who, in the first quarter, blew up the Warriors defense with his 3-point baskets. Then, in the second quarter, Anthony Davis woke up Los Angeles by doing a real job under the circle, in attack and defense. Then it was finally LeBron James who, in the third quarter, drove the point home to repel Golden State with his activity on both sides. An efficient, authoritarian and dominating “Big Three”.
✅ Andrew Wiggins. The Canadian winger was undoubtedly the most consistent of the Warriors in this game: 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists in 28 minutes. Energetic and involved on both sides, he set the tone for his team just with his activity, in addition to achieving the action of the match: a huge “poster” on Anthony Davis! But, abandoned by all of his teammates, or almost, “Wiggs” could not prevent the heavy defeat of his family.
⛔ Draymond Green. If JaMychal Green or Jordan Poole did not, among other things, shine during this meeting on the Warriors side (and that’s an understatement…), it’s hard not to highlight the ugly poor performance of “Dray” , given his importance in the Warriors. In the street in defense in front of Anthony Davis, to the point of collecting faults and passages on the bench, In attack, it was frankly not better and, on arrival, he signed without doubt his worst performance of the playoffs.
THE FOLLOWING
Game 4 in Los Angeles, on the night of Monday to Tuesday (04:00).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
