In a pivotal Game 3 matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, Anthony Davis showed why he’s one of the league’s most dominant players. The Lakers’ star led his team to a dominant victory over the Warriors, scoring 26 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking four shots.
One of the biggest factors in the game was free throw attempts. The Lakers went 28-of-37 from the line, while the Warriors only had 17 attempts. Davis was a key part of this, going 11-of-12 at the line and drawing fouls from Draymond Green, who picked up his fifth foul midway through the third quarter.
Davis’ dominance wasn’t limited to the offensive end of the court. He also had a huge impact on defense, blocking four shots and altering countless others. His presence in the paint was felt throughout the game, with the Warriors struggling to score at the rim and often settling for jump shots.
One of the keys to the Lakers’ success was a matchup adjustment by assistant coach Darvin Ham, who kept Davis on JaMychal Green and Kevon Looney. This allowed Davis to be more of a factor at the rim, where he was able to use his length and athleticism to disrupt the Warriors’ offense.
The Lakers also made it a priority to limit Draymond Green’s influence on the game. By starting Austin Reaves on Stephen Curry and Jarred Vanderbilt on Green, they were able to switch across four positions and prevent Green from being a factor as a passer and screener.
The Warriors had a rough night, with turnovers and missed shots leading to a number of Lakers’ fast-break opportunities. The Lakers’ transition frequency was almost double their rate in Game 2, with Davis’ defensive presence playing a key role in their ability to turn defense into offense.
While Green wasn’t the main problem for the Warriors on Saturday, his limited offensive game and lack of impact on defense may mean that he’s headed to the bench. The Lakers’ dominant win in Game 3 was a reminder of just how dominant they can be when Davis is playing at his best, and a warning to the rest of the league that they’re still a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
Twitter Reaction:
- @NBA: “Anthony Davis was a monster on both ends of the court in the Lakers’ Game 3 win over the Warriors. His dominance in the paint and at the free throw line was the difference in the game #NBAPlayoffs”
- @LakersNation: “AD was unstoppable tonight! His presence in the paint and at the line was key to the Lakers’ dominant win over the Warriors #LakeShow #NBAPlayoffs”
- @WarriorsWorld: “Tough loss for the Warriors, but credit to Anthony Davis and the Lakers. They were dominant tonight and deserved the win #DubNation #NBAPlayoffs”
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