The Warriors’ night started with the presentation of the champion rings and it ended like in June with a boiling Stephen Curry and a just Andrew Wiggins. Opposite, the Lakers fought but they were never able to worry the defending champions, despite 77 points from the trio LeBron James – Anthony Davis – Russell Westbrook.
It was not until the entry of Jordan Poole, author of two award-winning shots in quick succession, to start the match and give the Warriors a nine-point lead (22-13). Five lost balls from Golden State, however, allow an aggressive Anthony Davis near the circle to keep the Lakers in contact (25-22). The lack of address in Los Angeles, however, allows the Dubs to widen the gap. The pick-and-roll Jordan Poole – James Wiseman undermines the defense of Los Angeles, before the awakening of Stephen Curry gives Golden State a 14-point lead (53-39). It takes the burst of LeBron James and Russell Westbrook to limit the damage (59-52).
Klay Thompson enters the second half with seven straight points and the Warriors begin their season with the traditional devastating third quarter. They cause seven lost balloons from the Lakers and the “Splash Brothers” drive the point home by sticking a 30-12 which puts Los Angeles at -25 (89-64).
LeBron James and Anthony Davis sounded the Lakers’ wake-up call in the final quarter, but nine points each from Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins put the lid on Golden State’s deserved victory.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Rings and new banner for Warriors. At the end of a long ceremony in the presence of Adam Silver and marked by two speeches by Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, the Warriors as well as Juan Toscano-Anderson, now with the Lakers, received their ring of champion under the repeated ovations from the Chase Center. The moving ceremony ended with the discovery of the 2022-2023 champion banner just above the scorer’s table, before it took its place alongside the three other banners of Stephen Curry’s troop (2015 , 2017, 2018) on the ceiling of the Chase Center.
– The Lakers attack stalled. Before the start of the season, we knew the workforce of the Lakers in dire need of shooters. The first half was a stark confirmation of that observation with the Lakers 3 of 23 on their shots…off the key! Without this outside threat, Golden State’s defense could cheat with impunity to help on post-ups from Anthony Davis and drives from LeBron James and Russell Westbrook while the rest of their teammates stood still watching them play. . No address, no space. No space, no movement. No movement, no rhythm. No rhythm, no address… Stuck in this vicious circle, the Lakers finished the game with 43% on shots, including 10/40 from 3-pointers, while losing 21 balls.
– Golden State’s offensive variety bursts the screen. The contrast between the game offered by the two teams was striking. We have known for years the devastating movement and tempo of the Warriors. Last night, even with a preseason address, Steve Kerr’s men showed the full extent of their attacking arsenal. It was Jordan Poole who started hostilities with two award-winning shots in transition. He was then able to find James Wiseman on pick-and-roll, to bring an option that the Warriors did not have last season. Stephen Curry, clumsy, then attacked the circle to get into rhythm. The Lakers tried to tighten the screw on the two point guards but they took the opportunity to distribute caviar after caviar, allowing a mini eruption from Klay Thompson. Not to mention the ability of JaMychal Green and Moses Moody to also punish from afar. The Warriors are armed to the teeth and have the system to take advantage of it.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Stephen Curry. In trouble with his outside shot (4/13 from 3-pointers), the MVP of the last Finals was still in the oven and in the mill, finishing with 33 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. We will remember this nice move to catch Anthony Davis at the very end of the match.
✅Andrew Wiggins. Freshly extended, Andrew Wiggins picked up where we left off in June. He was strong in defense, present on the rebound, and finished in style by scoring 9 of his 20 points in the last quarter to repel the last onslaught of the Lakers.
✅ The Golden State Bench. Led by 12 points but above all 7 assists from Jordan Poole, all Golden State substitutes who entered the field were dangerous. They scored 41 points, compared to 24 for the Lakers.
✅ LeBron James. The King launched its 20th season by blackening the game sheet with 31 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. It was he who led his team’s last quarter last quarter.
✅ Anthony Davis-Russell Westbrook. Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook blew hot and cold throughout the game but supported James well. Davis (27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks) was unstoppable near the circle and was one of the bright spots on the Lakers defense. Westbrook (19 points, 11 rebounds) was restrained on offense but transparent on defense.
⛔ Patrick Beverly. The neo-Laker soon had a foul problem and was never able to put his mark on the game or get in the way of Stephen Curry.
THE FOLLOWING
Warriors: Golden State receives the two-time MVP in title, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets on the night of Friday to Saturday.
Lakers: The LeBron band returns to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Thursday night.
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