The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers are on a collision course for a blockbuster first-round playoff showdown, and Thursday’s conflict in Los Angeles provides a tantalizing preview.
Fueled by trade-deadline reinforcements, each groups are channeling their championship pedigree into deep postseason aspirations.
Golden State has been pink sizzling since buying Jimmy Butler from Miami, going 19-5 since his debut on Feb. 8. Paired with a resurgent Stephen Curry, the Warriors are surging on the proper time.
Curry delivered one other masterpiece Tuesday, dropping 52 factors – draining 12 3-pointers – to guide a 134-125 comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Butler added 27 factors, whereas Draymond Green recorded a triple-double with 13 factors, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, all regardless of the absences of Jonathan Kuminga (pelvis) and Gary Payton II (thumb).
Butler is averaging 17.5 factors per recreation with the Warriors, whereas his basketball IQ and defensive play have helped Golden State thrive.
“Jimmy saved our season,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr advised reporters. “The trade saved our season. Everybody knows that. But you watch what he did – 12-for-12 from the (free-throw) line. Steph goes off the floor, we’re running everything through him. Just a big-time defender, big-time two-way player.”
The Lakers have a season-saver of their very own in Luka Doncic, who arrived in February from the Dallas Mavericks for Anthony Davis. Doncic has averaged 27.2 factors along with his new staff and had 20 in a 104-98 dwelling win over the Houston Rockets on Monday.
But the Lakers nonetheless go as LeBron James goes, and regardless that the 40-year-old was restricted to 16 factors within the victory, his eight rebounds, 4 assists and two steals helped Los Angeles to the end line.
The Lakers’ bench can also be discovering its approach, with Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent including 20 factors every. Lakers reserves outscored the Rockets’ bench 46-32.
Los Angeles is making an attempt to get Finney-Smith to shoot extra, and confidence from teammates and coaches is making an affect. He was 6-for-11 from 3-point vary.
“I always want to make the right read,” Finney-Smith mentioned. “… So, it feels good when guys like (Doncic) and Bron are telling me to shoot. Because it could be the other way around.”
Vincent additionally made six 3-pointers towards the Rockets.
The combat for playoff positioning within the Western Conference will not be misplaced on the Lakers.
“It’s so close,” James mentioned. “People are jumping each other, falling behind, whatever the case may be. For us, obviously, our mission is to lock in a playoff spot. We don’t want to have to play in the play-in. So, we understand what’s at stake.”
Doncic aggravated a sore elbow in the course of the victory over the Rockets however intends to play towards the Warriors.
The Lakers have received all three video games towards the Warriors this season, most just lately on Feb. 6 in a 120-112 dwelling victory, when James scored 42 factors and Curry had 37.
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