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After three straight losses, the Lakers got a sorely-needed win on Saturday, crushing the Warriors 129-101. LA led nearly wire-to-wire, hit a season-high 19 3-pointers and cruised to a very comfortable victory.
The purple and gold shot 53.3% overall and held Golden State to just 27.3% from range.
The game started with a Draymond Green dunk after both teams missed their first two shot attempts. Austin Reaves was cooking early with four points. Both LeBron James and Marcus Smart drained 3-pointers. Los Angeles jumped to an eight-point lead.
At the 7:43 mark, the Warriors were sitting on only two points.
Out of a Golden State timeout, Moses Moody knocked down a triple. The Lakers were having a great game from behind the arc, converting on five of seven attempts. LeBron was a perfect 2-2 on his triples.
Gary Payton II provided a spark off the bench for the Warriors with four points. Reaves was leading all Laker scorers with nine points. Golden State picked up its play towards the end of the quarter by scoring four in a row, but LA was still in control of the game with a 13-point lead.
The second period began with Los Angeles converting on two 3-pointers, one from Luke Kennard and one from LeBron, extending their lead to 21, which led to a timeout by Golden State.
LA continued to extend its lead over the Warriors to as much as 24. LeBron was still a perfect 4-4 from behind the arc. He and Reaves were the only Lakers in double figures with 14 and 11, respectively.
The Warriors began to find their offense with a 13-2 scoring run, while Los Angeles suddenly went cold from the field.
LA ended the quarter well, stopping Golden State’s scoring run to keep an 18-point lead at halftime. The Lakers managed to play well despite Luka Dončić scoring just10 points in the half.
Luka began the third period by draining two 3-pointers in a row. Ayton then converted on a hook shot to push it to a 26-point lead for Los Angeles. After Golden State knocked down two triples, Luka responded with two more 3-pointers as he was red-hot from behind the arc.
The Warriors were shooting a brutal 22% from behind the arc.
LA’s incredible night from behind the arc continued with Jake LaRavia and Reaves both draining 3-pointers. As a team, Los Angeles was shooting 51% from the three.
Gui Santos surged with seven points, trying to put some life back into the Warriors. Kennard entered double figures after converting on a jumper. The Lakers had extended their lead to as much as 30 and headed into the fourth comfortably ahead.
LeBron opened the final frame converting on a pair of free throws. Kennard knocked down his third triple of the night. Maxi Kleber started to get in on the scoring with four points. Moody and LaRavia exchanged triples, prompting a Warriors timeout. They were down by 31.
Both sides emptied their bench with just over half the period remaining.
Key Player Stats
Luka finished with 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists. LeBron ended with 22 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Reaves pitched in with 18 points and three assists.
Kennard continued his stellar play off the bench with 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. Marcus Smart notched eight points with five rebounds and two steals. Jaxson Hayes scored six points with five rebounds.
Ayton had a rough offensive night with four points but did grab 10 rebounds. LaRavia pitched in with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Kleber had four points with three blocks.
The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday at 6:30 PM PT.
You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.