After a dominant victory in Game 3, the Los Angeles Lakers look to take control of their second-round series against the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 on Monday night.
The Lakers have not lost at home since the end of March, and if they are able to keep that streak going in Game 3 then they will take a commanding 3-1 series lead. In LeBron James’ 20-year NBA career, his teams have never even gone to a Game 7 when leading 3-1 in a series.
With that being said, expect the Lakers to come out with some urgency in Game 4 not wanting to allow the Warriors, who have struggled on the road all season, to go back home with the series tied at two games apiece.
That urgency starts with Anthony Davis, who has been exceptional in the Lakers’ two wins this series, averaging 27.5 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. In the Lakers’ Game 2 loss though, he had just 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
The Warriors do not have the size to match up with Davis down low, so if he comes out with a mindset to dominate then he should have another very strong game offensively. He has also been the best defensive player by a mile this postseason, and that will be the case regardless of what he does on offense.
Speaking of defense, the Lakers will need to defend the 3-point line well again in Game 4 as there’s no doubt the Warriors will come out firing with their backs against the wall. Golden State only shot 29% from deep in Game 3 but was over 40% in the first two games.
It’s also looking like the Warriors are making a change to their starting lineup again after JaMychal Green struggled in Game 3. The Warriors cannot match the Lakers’ size, so their best bet may be trying to play with speed to spread the Lakers out and outshoot them the way they did in Game 2.
So entering the starting lineup is Gary Payton II, who gives the Warriors defensive toughness and a guy that can shoot a little and cut offensively, opening up more space for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who are obviously capable of knocking down any shot on the floor.
Chasing those guys around screens all night is not easy, but Darvin Ham made a nice tactical adjustment in Game 3 by moving Jarred Vanderbilt onto Draymond Green with Austin Reaves on Curry. That allows the Lakers to switch more on Green’s screens and doesn’t put a mismatch on the perimeter with Vanderbilt on Curry.
Another adjustment by Ham was inserting Lonnie Walker IV into the rotation for the first time this postseason, and it worked as he did a nice job chasing Curry and Thompson around screens while also contributing offensively. With both Troy Brown Jr. and Malik Beasley struggling this postseason, Walker will likely get another chance to contribute for L.A. in Game 3.
Los Angeles Lakers (2-1) vs. Golden State Warriors (1-2)
7:00 p.m. PT, May 8, 2023
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
TV: TNT
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA
Projected Lakers Starting Lineup:
PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: LeBron James
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Anthony Davis
Key Reserves: Rui Hachimura, Dennis Schroder, Troy Brown Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Wenyen Gabriel
Projected Warriors Starting Lineup:
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Gary Payton II
PF: Andrew Wiggins
C: Draymond Green
Key Reserves: Kevon Looney, Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Moses Moody, JaMychal Green
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