The Lakers, carried by Imperial Anthony Davis inside and a long fierce defense on Stephen Curry, snatched from Golden State (117-112) the first set of their conference semi-finals on Tuesday in the NBA play-offs.
The least we can say is that the poster between the outgoing champion and that of 2020 has kept its promises at the Chase Center, where the basketball offered has been of a high level. With at the end of the suspense, a performance a little more complete from L.A.
The freshness was perhaps also on the side of the purple and gold, which were able to benefit from two additional days of rest compared to the Warriors, qualified in the 7th game on Sunday by winning in Sacramento. But it is clear that they were armed to regain the advantage of the floor in San Francisco.
It still took little for Golden State to pull off a tremendous comeback in the last five minutes, yet approached 14 units behind, which was also the Lakers’ widest lead, then succeeding. perfect in the wake of Davis, as imposing as surgical (30 pts, 11/17 on shots, 23 rebounds, 5 interceptions, 4 blocks).
“We know this team – they are the defending champions. No advance takes shelter against them, they can ignite at any time”, recognized “AD” after the fact.
Because Curry, watched like milk on fire, 48 hours after his 50 points passed to the Kings, by the devoted James Vanderbilt, who defended on him like a starved to death, knew how to get out of it in the final period to register 14 of his 27 points (10/24).
After offering one to Klay Thompson (25 pts), his award-winning banderilla 1 min 38 seconds from the buzzer was synonymous with equality (112-112), completing a sequence at 14-0.
But the leader then fell on the impassable Davis on the counter and D’Angelo Russell then Dennis Schroder, 19 points both, ensured the success of the Lakers, when Jordan Poole (21 pts) missed a somewhat rushed distant shot on a final possession.
LeBron James was not outdone (22 pts, 11 rebounds), also working to protect his basket, with three blocks, which made ten in total for his team, dominating in the racket, even if Kevon Looney s is beaten like hell to challenge it (23 rebounds, 10 pts).
Other telling figures, the Lakers scored double the points in the racket (54 against 28) and obtained infinitely more free throws (29 for 25 registered against 6 for 5 scored at the Warriors). Something to tip the balance…
