Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James tosses powder in the air prior to Game 3 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal against the Golden State Warriors Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center Anthony Davis and guard D’Angelo Russell scored over 20 points each to secure a Game Three 127-97 win over Golden State in round two of the NBA Playoffs.
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell leads all scorers with 13 points at the end of the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) May 7, 2023
Davis led with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham noted how Davis is the “catalyst” and “anchor” for the Purple and Gold.
“His activity when he’s blocking shots, changing shots, it’s amazing,” Ham said. “He’s locked in to a tee and really communicating with the coaches, coverages, being aware of who’s on the court, who’s in the game for them.”
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Guard Stephen Curry spearheaded the Warriors’ offense with 23 points, and forward Andre Wiggins made nine rebounds.
The Lakers made 10 steals and earned a 27-point benefit from Golden State’s 19 turnovers.
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) scored 12 points against Golden State (Twitter photo)
Russell started the Lakers early, scoring 13 points in the first four minutes of the game. An eight-point run by Golden State, gave them the lead by the end of the first quarter.
The Lakers held the Warriors to 18 points while scoring 36 points in the second quarter. Ham noticed how the Lakers’ defense intensified in the second quarter.
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell explains how forward LeBron James does not have to score to make an impact on the game. pic.twitter.com/rBAI2Fxb1x
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) May 7, 2023
“The communication was great, us being aware of who is on the floor for them, who’s coming out,” Ham said. “That dictated some of our coverages, we were able to switch up our pitches.”
Russell noted how getting out on transition aided the Lakers.
“I think we got stops and it allowed us to creep back,” Russell said. “A few and-ones, a few threes, a few offensive rebounds leading to easy layups.”
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) scored 21 points against Golden State in Game Three
Golden State rallied in the third quarter, Curry scoring 10 in the phase. James kept the Lakers dominant with his offensive effort. One play caused James to run off the court, hurdle courtside seats and run deep into the crowd.
“We’re very good when we get in the paint, that’s who we are,” James said. “We do have the ability to shoot the outside shot, but we’re a paint team first and then we spray out for threes.”
The Lakers entered the fourth with an 18-point lead. James and Davis saw limited minutes; forward Jarred Vanderbilt and Russell sat out the whole phase.
Anthony Davis has 4 blocks after three quarters against GSW
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) May 7, 2023
Russell ended the night with 21 points, and guard Austin Reaves scored 10 points. Both guards Dennis Schrӧder and Lonnie Walker IV came off the bench to score 12 points each.
“We just tried to make an adjustment, that’s what it’s about,” Davis said. “Each game is it’s own entity and making adjustments to try to get the victory and I think we did a good job of that tonight.”
The Lakers host Golden State Warriors for Game Four on Monday at 7:00P.M.
