Tag: Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) gets airborne driving to the net against the Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in game 5 of the NBA Playoffs on Mon May 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

Crushing Defeat For Warriors Losing to Los Angeles 104-101

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (1-3) are in a bit of a pickle trailing the Los Angeles Lakers (3-1) 3 games to 1 in the Western Conference semifinals. Yes they do thrive when faced with adversity but they couldn’t do it Monday night at Crypto.com Arena in a game 4 104-101 loss.

Game 4 game wrap: The opening quarter was a slow one for both teams. The Warriors took a five point lead mid-way through the quarter going on an 8-0 run. The Lakers answered with their own 8-0 run. The first quarter was a close one with Golden State leading 22-21.

The Lakers were upstaged by Warriors guard Stephen Curry in the second quarter. He had 17 points at, the half 14 of them in the second quarter. The Warriors finished the first half with six turnovers. Curry also had seven rebounds and seven assists. At the half the Warriors held a slim 52-49 lead. It was Anthony Davis who was keeping the Lakers in this game.

The Warriors would have to find a way to contain Davis who finished the half with 19 points and was having another outstanding game. In the first half Davis was doing whatever he wanted. Klay Thompson needed to get going only hitting one triple in the first half.

Going into this game the Warriors wanted to score more points in the paint and they did have that going but they also needed to get a few triples as well. They only had five from downtown in the first half. They needed to keep Davis on the perimeter in the second half.

Whenever it began to hinge in one direction or the other neither team could distance themselves in the opening minutes. The Lakers got a 10-0 run going as the quarter wore on taking a 59-57 lead at 8:30. The tide turned in this game when the Warriors went off taking the largest lead of the game 73-61 with under six minutes left in the third quarter. Golden State led 84-77 going into the fourth quarter.

Golden State watched their lead evaporate in the final quarter. The Lakers are the top scoring fourth quarter team in the league and they really showed it. Curry already had a triple double in the game getting the Warriors fired up. This game was going into a higher level of intensity the Warriors have yet to see so far in these playoffs. It was insanity.

With five minutes left in the game it was tied at 94. Thompson had a huge three in the waning minutes but he also missed a couple of shots from downtown. With 15 ticks left on the clock the Warriors were trailing 104-101. Two late turnovers by Golden State made all the difference in this game. Davis had a horrible second half with only four points, but the Warriors just couldn’t cash in.

Curry had his third career triple double with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists. It was just so close and the Warriors needed just a bit more from Thompson to take this game. It was a tough loss for Golden State after they had finally taken a double digit lead. They just couldn’t hang onto it. They could not be in any tougher of a situation trailing 3-1 in the series.

Game Five will be played at Chase Center on Wednesday night with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, center, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, and forward Jarred Vanderbilt defend during the first half in Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat May 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, game 3 how surprising was it that after the Los Angeles Lakers (2-1) took a tough game 2 loss 127-100 they bounced right back with a 127-97 win against the Golden State Warriors (1-2) to take a series lead of 2-1.

#2 Barbara, Warriors guard Stephen Curry led with 23 points the Lakers defense put the pressure on Klay Thompson who led the Warriors with 30 in game 1 the Warriors just couldn’t get any offense going in game 3.

#3 When you consider the Lakers wide 30 point win on Saturday and that LeBron James didn’t didn’t take a shot in the first quarter in 275 career NBA playoff games and still the Lakers capitalized on the Warriors defense.

#4 Once again the Lakers hot handed Anthony Davis led with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Davis starred in game 1 with 30 points the Warriors know he’s got that outside shot and plenty of them.

#5 Lakers have the home floor and game 4 with a chance to go up 3-1 tonight at Crypto.com Arena which would put Golden State behind the eight ball. The Warriors have been here before with their backs to the wall tell us how you see this one tonight.

Join Barbara Mason for each edition of the Golden State Warriors podcasts heard Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James wasn’t blowing smoke scoring 21 points as the Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors in game 3 of the NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat May 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Get Blown Out in Game Three 127-97

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (44-39) traveled down to Crypto .com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Lakers (44-39) in game three of the Western semifinals. The Warriors sent a message loud and clear in game two in a real beat down winning that game 127-100.

Golden State couldn’t deal with what was waiting for them in game 3 in the Southland. After struggling during the season on the road, the Warriors have turned it all around when it has really counted in game 2. They just weren’t able to do that turnaround on Saturday night getting blown out by the Lakers 127-97 as the Lakers take a 2-1 lead in the series.

The first five minutes of the first quarter turned out to be the D’Angelo Russell show scoring all 11 of the Lakers opening points. At 7:49, the Lakers had taken a seven point lead 11-6 but the Warriors pulled to within three points with four minutes left in the first 12 minutes.

A bit of a slow start for Klay Thompson heated up in a hurry finishing with 11 points. Golden State had turned this game around now leading going into the second quarter 30-23.

The Lakers went on a monster run in the second quarter going from being down 11 points to being up nine and leading 51-42 with 2:23 left in the half. At the half it was Los Angeles leading 59-48. The Lakers had finished a 30-8 run with some amazing defense as well as offense.

The Lakers put a beat down on the Warriors in the third quarter taking a 86-68 lead. Los Angeles had put a strangle hold on the Warriors bench and were keeping Stephen Curry and Thompson under wraps. Anthony Davis was having a great game with 25 points and both LeBron James and Russell had 21 points. It was all Lakers in the third quarter.

The second half belonged to Los Angeles. They were in control leading by as much as 34 points. James, DeAngelo Russell and Davis sat out the fourth quarter. The Lakers had a 2-1 lead in the series. The Lakers remain perfect at home with a 4-0 record.

It was a dismal display for Golden State. The energy that was lacking really hurt the team. The defensive effort was not great and along came those turnovers with 19. The Warriors are once again in desperation mode going into game four.

Curry finished with 23 points but it was “good night” for the Golden State Warriors in this one.

Game four will be played Monday night with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM. This will be a must win for the Warriors. They seem to thrive under intense pressure so the question remains can the Warriors tie up this series heading back to Chase for game five.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, right, during the second half of Game 2 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu May 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 It was a night of trying to solve the Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson for the Los Angeles Lakers defense but remained a mystery as Thompson led Golden State in scoring with 30 points.

#2 Thompson’s not so secret weapon was landing those eight 3 pointers which were devastating for the Lakers who lost wide 27 point margin 127-100.

#3 Stephen Curry who scored 50 points last Sunday in game 7 against Sacramento. Curry dropped in 20 points with 12 assists and the Lakers were keyed in on him and Thompson got dished off the ball.

#4 The Warriors set the NBA record for the most three pointers in the first two games of a playoff with 21. It’s the three point shot that hurt the Lakers and they had a tough time stopping that outside shot.

#5 The Lakers LeBron James led the Lakers with 23 points followed by Rui Hachimura who scored 21 but it just wasn’t enough for the Lakers. The Warriors defense also keyed in on Anthony Davis who was held to just 11 points.

Join Jeremiah for the Warrior podcasts throughout the NBA Playoffs on Friday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo, center, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, reach for the ball during the first half of Game 2 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu May 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Even Series 1-1 Demolishing Lakers 127-100

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (1-1) came away with a huge 127-100 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers (1-1) on Thursday night . It was a must win for Golden State not wanting to fall behind the Lakers 0-2. Also not wanting to lose two games at Chase Center despite having a great start and a great finish in game one the Warriors lost in game one 117-112 and had a huge recovery in game 2.

In game one both teams were terrific. There were only eight turnovers for each team; so great ball protection for the Warriors and the Lakers. The Lakers dominated in the paint in that first game and Thursday night the Warriors were able to flip the script with their 27 point victory.

Game 2 recap: In the opening quarter, the Lakers finished with a 33-26 lead. LeBron James had a great start and as this game went on he would not get a whole lot of support from his starters. It was all on him.

In the second quarter the Warriors really took the Lakers to task dominating in the paint. With under two minutes left in the half, the Warriors had a 65-54 lead. Of concern were the three personal fouls called on Warrior guard Stephen Curry. Anthony Davis had three personals as well. Klay Thompson went off in the half finishing with 19 points. At the half the Warriors had a 67-56 lead.

LeBron finished the first half with 21 points and 23 for the game and Rui Hachimura had 14 off the bench and was four of four from downtown finished with 21 points in the contest. Thompson finished the half with 19 points the only Warrior in double digits. The turnaround from Davis was stunning in this game. He went from being one of the best players on the floor in game one to being pretty much completely ineffective in the first half of game two.

The Warriors put a hurt on the Lakers in the third quarter leading 110-80. Thompson continued his onslaught with 30 points, and was eight of 11 from beyond the arc. Davis continued to be a non- factor and the Warriors were outplaying the Lakers in the paint, from downtown and rebounding. They won the third quarter 43-24. Every starter for Golden State had double digits going into the fourth quarter.

The Golden State bench would finish the game delivering the win in true Warrior form. The Warriors had twice as many turnovers than in game one with 16. The Warriors finished this game with 21 shots from downtown to the Lakers ten. They were great in defensive transition and this game could not have gone better for the Warriors.

Although Curry only had 20 points, he had 12 assists. Draymond Green finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. “We realized that we let one go in game one and we’ve been having to bounce back all year and not a better group to do it with,” said Thompson after the game. “Our offense was flowing and our turnovers were low. We keep it simple, the flood gates will open,” Thompson who led with 30 points said.

Golden State will now travels down Southland for game three at Crypto.com Arena. That game will be played on Saturday evening with tipoff at 5:30 PM.

Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (6) stands behind the Golden State Warriors (30) Stephen Curry during game 1 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue May 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James answered the question if LeBron has to carry the Lakers on his back and the answer at least in game 1 of the second round of the playoffs was a resounding no. LeBron was second in Los Angeles scoring with 22 points.

#2 David, talk about Anthony Davis who led the Lakers in scoring with 30 points he helped LeBron do some of the heavy lifting in the 117-112 five point win.

#3 Game two is Thursday night at Chase Center do you see the Warriors taking advantage of the home floor and putting game 1 behind them?

Join David for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) during the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue May 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors hosted the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the best of seven Western Conference Semi-Finals. The Lakers, fresh off a series win over the Memphis Grizzlies last Thursday, had fresher legs as the Warriors had to beat the Sacramento Kings last Sunday in Sacramento.

The big question was how the Warriors would attack the Lakers’ defense. The Warriors are an undersized team. Kevon Looney, at six feet nine inches, is the tallest Warrior. Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins are about six feet seven inches.

The Lakers, Anthony Davis, is four inches taller. LeBron James is the same height as Looney. Lakers’ coach Darvin Ham had Jarred Vanderbilt guard Stephen Curry. Curry is six inches shorter than Vanderbilt. The Warriors’ other scorers, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole, would have to make plays to stay competitive. In the end, it was the Lakers’ strategy that would prevail. The Lakers won the game 117-112.

The teams played a very entertaining first half. The Warriors could not stop Davis. Known as “the Brow,” Davis scored 23 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the first half. LeBron had 12, and Dennis Schroder, coming off the bench, had 13.

Thompson paced the Warrior offense with 18. With Jarred Vanderbilt draped all over him, Curry managed to put 10 points on the board. Poole kicked in with 13. Wiggins had nine. The Lakers won the first half by one point, 65-64. The Warriors made 13 threes, the Lakers one. The Warriors had three free throws in the first half, the Lakers had 17 and made 16. The Warriors could not drive to the rim and get foul calls. They were shooting from downtown and were able to make threes.

The Warriors stayed close for about half of the third quarter. With the score tied at 73, the Lakers went on a 13-3 run to lead by ten, 86-76. The Warriors now had to play catch up. The Lakers finished the quarter leading 96-88. LA made four threes in the third quarter. While an eight-point disadvantage is not difficult to overcome, the Warriors needed to get Curry heated up in the fourth quarter. 

The Lakers continued to keep the Warriors from scoring in the paint. Davis was a force at the rim. The Lakers increased the lead to 14, 112-98. The Warriors went on an 11-0 run to close within three, 112-109. Curry, Thompson, and Poole led the charge. The fans were on their feet as there was hope. Curry then hit another three to tie the score 112-112. The Lakers did not fold.

Game Notes: The Lakers now own home-court advantage. The Lakers will have three home games, the Warriors three. If the Warriors are going to win the series, they will have to win one in LA and the three left at the Chase Center. It will take work. 

Curry led the Warriors with 27 points, Thompson had 25, Poole had 21, and Wiggins had 15. Looney had his fourth game in the playoffs with over 20 rebounds. Kevon scored ten points and had 23 rebounds and five assists.

Looney had to battle Davis the entire game but came through for the Warriors. The Warriors made 21 threes. They had six free throws and made five. The Lakers went to the line 29 times and made 25. The 20-point differential won the game for LA. 

Davis had a monster game with 30 points and 23 rebounds. LeBron had a double-double with 22 points and 11 boards. As a former Warrior, D’Angelo Russell finished with 19, as did Dennis Schroder. Austin Reaves finished with ten points. Reaves made two threes in the third quarter to help propel the Lakers into the lead in the third quarter. Jarred Vanderbilt had eight.

The Lakers and Warriors will play game two of the series Thursday night at the Chase Center. The game will start at 6 pm and will be televised on ESPN.