The Los Angeles Lakers got a massive win in their first game in the Bay area.
They knocked down the reigning champions Golden State Warriors with a well-round effort, looking poised and in control for most of the game.
So, even though the Warriors managed to erase a 14-point deficit late in the contest, Lakers guard Austin Reaves was quite satisfied with his team’s effort down the stretch to head back home with at least one win.
"We didn't make too many shots down the stretch but we got stops when we needed stops and hey a win is a win." Austin Reaves on the #Lakers second half. pic.twitter.com/7xSDOF4pET
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) May 3, 2023
The Lakers stole homecourt advantage for the second series in a row, and that could turn out to be quite significant, as the Warriors have struggled to win on the road throughout the whole season.
Anthony Davis was huge on both ends of the floor, manhandling Draymond Green and Kevon Looney and dominating the glass.
LeBron James wasn’t as aggressive as per usual, but he didn’t need to be.
But he did still contribute with 22 points and 11 boards.
D’Angelo Russell also had one of his best games of the playoffs with 19 points, and Dennis Schroder also stepped up with 19 off the bench.
It was a solid performance overall by Darvin Ham’s team, especially staying disciplined on the defensive end of the floor.
The Warriors shot 40% from the floor and 39% from three-point territory, but they only went to the free-throw line six times.
That speaks volumes of the great job they did of keeping them away from the paint and forcing them to tough, heavily-contested shots, so props to Ham and his coaching staff for the game plan.
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