Lakers look to seize 3-1 lead over Warriors
The Lakers will look to stay undefeated at home in the playoffs and take a 3-1 lead over the Warriors. This is a pivotal game for both teams.
If LA can take a 3-1 lead, they are in a commanding spot to win the series. If Golden State can win this game, they will even the series as they head back to San Francisco.
GAMEDAY. FEELING AN EARTHQUAKE AS I POST THIS.
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) May 8, 2023
LOCK IN 😈 pic.twitter.com/8qvz8ALDnL
Stephen Curry and the Warriors are going to come out with a lot of energy in this crucial game. LA must be ready to match their intensity if they want to come away with a win in Game 4.
With that said, here are three keys for the Lakers to win Game 4.
Anthony Davis stays consistent; has a dominant performance
Davis has yet to put back-to-back dominant performances together on the offensive end this postseason. Davis has been consistently the defensive anchor but has been inconsistent offensively.
Davis had 30 points in Game 1, 11 in Game 2, and 25 in Game 3. When Davis comes out aggressive on offense, it leads to success for the Lakers.
Lonnie Walker on Anthony Davis:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 8, 2023
“1-of-1. Once he gets it going, I don’t think there’s no one that can stop us.”
(h/t @Klutch_23) pic.twitter.com/qJtefgM5NB
Golden State doesn’t have the size to defend Davis, as Kevon Looney and Draymond Green are undersized bigs.
If Davis is aggressive from the get-go, the Lakers have a good shot at winning Game 4.
Lakers' defense contains Stephen Curry
The Lakers' defense on Curry has been great through three games in the series. Curry is the greatest shooter in NBA history and one of the top players of this generation.
He is a tough cover, but LA has done an excellent job limiting his production. Curry is averaging 23/5/6 in the series, shooting 45.6% from the field and 46.4% from three.
These are solid numbers, but that’s to be expected from a superstar. However, Darvin Ham’s scheme hasn’t allowed him to explode as he did against the Kings in the 1st round. In that series, Curry averaged 34/5/5, including a 50-point performance in Game 7.
STEPHEN CURRY. MAGIC.
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2023
TIE GAME WITH 1:30 REMAINING
📺: Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/DGpbHELkFJ
Jarred Vanderbilt, Austin Reaves, and Dennis Schroder have been the primary defenders on Curry. In Game 3, Vanderbilt defended Draymond Green to protect against the pick and roll.
It worked well, which means Reaves and Schroder will likely be the primary defenders on Curry in Game 4.
If the Lakers can continue to hold Curry under 30 points, it will go a long way in coming away with a victory.
Lakers continue to get to the free-throw line
LA isn’t going to match the Warriors from three, but they can outperform them from the free-throw line.
A free throw discrepancy alone is not proof of an improperly officiated game. Reg season rankings:
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) May 7, 2023
Fouls committed
Lakers 1
Warriors 28
Free throws shot:
Lakers 1
Warriors 30
Not having a big FT discrepancy between these 2 teams would be far more surprising than having one
Many have called out the free-throw disparity, but the numbers don’t lie. From the trade deadline to the end of the regular season, the Lakers led the league in free-throw attempts with 27.9 per game, while the Warriors ranked 29th in the league.
The Lakers also committed the least fouls per game, while Golden State fouled the 3rd most.
When LA is able to get to the line and convert, it gives them more offensive production and a better chance to win the game.
This Game 4 is pivotal for both teams. If the Lakers can seize a 3-1 lead heading back to San Francisco, they will be in the driver’s seat for the series.