LeBron James didn’t take a shot in the first quarter of Game 3 for the first time in his NBA-record 275 playoff appearances, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ home crowd rumbled with mild uncertainty each time he passed.
James and the Lakers were just warming up before crushing the Golden State Warriors.
A slow-starting James scored 21 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds, and the Lakers seized a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series with a 127-97 win Saturday night.
D’Angelo Russell scored 21 points on five 3-pointers for the seventh-seeded Lakers, who remained unblemished at home in the postseason with a strong defensive effort against the reigning NBA champs. Los Angeles outscored the Warriors 63-38 to win Game 3.
James stated, “We’re one of the best defensive teams in the league, if not the best. We must defend well to realize our potential. Golden State tests you more than any other team in this league, so we have to be aware on every possession.”
James pushed Los Angeles to a big lead despite not shooting until the second quarter. The 38-year-old made a deft twist move and blocked a shot on the other end after leaping the front row of spectators and running well into the stands after a deflection.James attributed his unorthodox start to the game’s flow. “I didn’t want to force it. Let the game come to me and make my mark when needed.”
The Warriors committed 19 turnovers and failed to respond to the Lakers in the second half despite 23 points from Stephen Curry and 16 from Andrew Wiggins. After hitting 21 3-pointers in each of the first two games in San Francisco, Golden State made just 10 while the game was close.
Monday night in LA is Game 4.
Davis rebounded under both baskets, blocking four shots and spearheading the Lakers’ latest solid defensive effort. Since March 17, Los Angeles has gone 16-5 on defense, and the Warriors couldn’t make enough perimeter shots to overcome their size and athleticism.
“After that first quarter, guys just really turned it up,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. They were competitive and communicated well. We played a muscular, aggressive downhill game.”
The Warriors’ bench scored 18 points before coach Steve Kerr withdrew his starters with 9:11 left. Klay Thompson had 15 points and seven rebounds. Draymond Green scored two points in 23 minutes while fouled.
“As ugly as this was tonight, we have an opportunity to respond on Monday,” Thompson added. “We can react. We did that for 10 years here.”
For the fifth time in 92 games, the Warriors scored under 100 points. Golden State had 22 fouls to the Lakers’ 21 and two technical fouls for disagreeing with the refs.
Curry advised against focusing on uncontrollable factors. “As frustrating as it is, it’s the test every team has to go through throughout the series, blocking out that stuff as much as we can. We know who we are and what we can do, as we often say after a loss.”
After an explosive beginning, this much-anticipated playoff rematch between generational superstars James and Curry has been mostly garbage time. After Ham sat down his stars before Game 2, Kerr pulled the plug with a 26-point disadvantage early in Game 3.
FIGHT ON
Two hours before tipoff, Bronny, James’ son, committed to USC. The 18-year-old, one of the nation’s top uncommitted recruits, stayed close to home with a powerhouse Trojans team coming off its third consecutive NCAA Tournament participation. Andy Enfield, Lincoln Riley, and Bronny James attended Game 3.
TIP-INS
Warriors: JaMychal Green started Game 3 even with Kevon Looney available. Looney was sick during Game 2. Kerr said Andre Iguodala will practice next week after increasing his effort. Surgery on his left wrist sidelined the veteran on March 13. Moses Moody was flagrantly fouled for tripping Davis in the second quarter.
Lakers: James eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for fifth on the NBA’s career playoff rebounding chart. The Lakers’ longest playoff run at home since 2012 drew another celebrity-packed sellout. Michael B. Jordan, Kim Kardashian, Woody Harrelson, Don Cheadle, Dustin Hoffman, Nia Long, Adele, Andy Garcia, Kevin Hart, and Pasadena native and Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young were among the courtside fans.
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