The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are two winning franchises, but in the current season they are fighting game by game to guarantee themselves at least in the play-in. This Saturday (27), the two teams faced each other in San Francisco and the Lakers won after two overtimes, with a score of 145-144.
The first period started completely balanced. The Warriors had Stephen Curry already showing that he would have a great night, scoring 11 points in the first quarter. The Lakers have a very clear game strategy and exploited all of Anthony Davis’ strength and talent in the paint. In great form, “Monocelha” managed to completely dominate the Warriors’ cage. After 12 minutes of basketball, the Lakers were ahead 33-30.
In the second period the game’s panorama did not change. The two teams fought each other, exchanging baskets and many turnovers. Steve Kerr’s men committed 5, while Darvin Ham’s men committed 3. Taking advantage of the Warriors’ weak defensive line, the Lakers scored with LeBron and Christian Wood. The San Francisco team also took advantage of the Angelinos’ perimeter defense that leaves something to be desired to punish three-pointers. The game went to halftime with the Lakers leading 68-63.
In the third quarter things almost went downhill for the Lakers. Stephen Curry’s team was in a way that reminded them of the best moments of the legendary team, the three-pointers kept falling, the defense managed to force turnovers on the opponent and the team even had some good offensive rebounds. The advantage reached a peak of 15 points. Klay Thompson had the hot hand and even with Curry’s good defense, the Warriors managed to completely dominate the Lakers. The game went into the final quarter with Golden State leading 99-91.
In the last quarter, the Lakers managed to react by leaps and bounds. The team shot extremely poorly, making just 6/17 (35%) in the period, but was extremely aggressive and managed to take 14 free throws and convert 12 (86%). The game came down to the final two minutes with the Warriors leading by two points, until at the 1:43 mark, D’Angelo Russell hit a three to give the Lakers a 115-114 lead. The teams were exchanging mistakes until Anthony Davis hit two free throws with 29 seconds remaining and left the Lakers ahead by three. In a crazy sequence, Curry tied the game at 118 points with six seconds left. Davis lost the ball afterwards and Thompson had a shot to win but wasted it.
Overtime was extremely balanced and tense, the teams basically exchanged baskets without any major advantage. The Lakers led by three points with 11 seconds left, after D’Lo made two free throws, but Klay Thompson tied the game with seven seconds remaining. LeBron had a chance to hit one jump shot but it didn’t convert.
In the second extension the same scenario remained. The Warriors took the lead with Curry hitting a three-pointer with six seconds remaining. The Lakers called time out and designed a play for LeBron to attack the basket. The winger was unable to convert the basket, but he won two free throws and converted both to turn the game around and give the Lakers the victory.
LeBron had a great night and scored a triple-double with 36 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists. AD contributed another 29 points and 13 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell maintained his great form and scored 28 points.
Stephen Curry also had a great performance and scored 46 points. Klay Thompson contributed another 24 points. Kuminga and Wiggins each scored 22.
Photo: Disclosure X/ @Lakers