The Warriors traveled to Los Angeles and defeated the Lakers 134-120, clinching a vital tiebreaker that might allow them to host a play-in game at Chase Center.
A second quarter run and scorched-earth shooting
This was a game in which the Lakers smacked the Warriors in the face to begin the last three quarters and then asked them to retaliate.
In each of those quarters, the Warriors accomplished exactly that. There was always the risk that the Lakers might turn a quick run into a game-changing one.
The Warriors’ ability to shoot from deep stood out. They were brutal, particularly in the first half. They started 12-of-17 from the range and finished 26 of 41 (63.4 percent). Golden State set a season high with 26 3-pointers, falling just short of the club record of 27. The Milwaukee Bucks currently hold the NBA record of 29.
The Warriors embarked on a 16-2 run in the middle of the second quarter following an early drive by the Lakers. When their advantage dwindled to five points in the third quarter, the Warriors responded with a 10-0 run to complete the quarter up 17 points. When the Lakers went on an 8-0 run, Golden State replied again.
It is difficult to compare themselves to an Anthony Davis-less team, but that is frequently what the Lakers are. In any case, it was a strong and impressive shooting effort.
Draymond lives on the brink, and everyone feeds off of it.
The most ludicrous element of this game was Draymond Green’s 3-point shooting. Green started the game 5-for-5 from deep. As one could expect, he was not quiet after nailing those shots.
Green was in top form and aggressive. That almost showed up adversely when Green was smacked in the face by Austin Reaves and protested with referees about a foul near the Lakers bench. He dodged a technical, but Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers did. The broadcast definitely showed Hayes questioning how he picked up a technical but Green escaped without one.
That is Green’s maximum impact. He irritates the opposing team while encouraging the Warriors to perform at their peak. He finished with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, a block, and four turnovers.
Golden State’s incredible shooting was the result of some excellent ball movement. It got almost everyone involved.
Stephen Curry had 23 points on a perfect 3-point shooting night (6-of-6), with 7 rebounds, 8 assists, a steal, 2 blocks, and a turnover.
Klay Thompson scored 27 points, finishing 5-of-10 from long. Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points while shooting 3-for-5 from long. Brandin Podziemski finished with 13 points, making all three three-point attempts. Gary Payton II had nine. Jonathan Kuminga (the only Warriors player who had a horrible night) had eight, six, three, and a steal. Oh, and Chris Paul finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists. It was really well-rounded.
The Play-in Situation
So the Warriors won. We’re all aware that this is significant. What exactly are the scenarios here? What does all this mean?
This implies that if the Warriors win their remaining three games, they will, at the very least, host a play-in game at Chase Center. They won the tiebreaker against the Lakers, who have two games left.
If the Lakers lose either of their next two games against the Memphis Grizzlies or the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Warriors win two of their final three, the Warriors would be the ninth seed, while the Lakers will be the tenth.
But where it becomes fascinating for the Warriors is whether they can win out while the Kings continue to struggle. Sacramento suffered a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night and would have fallen behind the Lakers if the outcome had been different.
The Warriors will most likely need to win out, while the Kings must lose two of their final three games, which they will face the Pelicans, Suns, and Trail Blazers.
That scenario may be too much to ask, but Golden State could be heading for a one-game play-in at Chase Center. Given their 24-16 road record and 20-19 home record, that may not be a good sign. We will (presumably) see.