Lakers bounce back with roaring Game 3 win over Warriors
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers bounced back from Game 2’s loss with a commanding 127-97 Game 3 win over the Warriors on Saturday to gain a 2-1 series lead.
After trailing 30–23 at the end of the first quarter, the Lakers outscored the Warriors 106–67 the rest of the way, showing just how commanding they were in gaining the upper hand in the series.
The Lakers returned to their aggressive game plan from their Game 1 series win by attacking the basket and drawing fouls — making 28 free throws on 37 attempts compared to the Warriors' 12 of 17 shots from the line.
Coming out of Game 2’s loss with just 11 points, Anthony Davis answered that underperforming outing with an Anthony Davis-like punch, scoring 25 points on 7-for-10, 70% shooting. Davis also notched 13 rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and three assists in 33 minutes of play.
Davis is first in the NBA playoffs in stocks—steals and blocks combined in one game—by a considerable margin, with Celtics Al Horford being the nearest with 28 compared to Davis with 49.
LeBron James bounced back from a scoreless first quarter, where he didn't attempt a single shot, to finish second on the team with 21 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
"We played the game the right way,” said LeBron. “One thing we were not good at in Game 2 was being forcible at the rim."
Game 3’s win wasn't the only celebratory moment for LeBron, with the announcement that his son, Bronny James, will attend USC to continue his promising basketball career.
“Cherry on top,” said LeBron after the Lakers winning on the same day of his son's announcement.
D'Angelo Russell’s space ability from his shooting threat flashed in Saturday’s Laker win, with an example in the first quarter with a pump fake and spin to create space from Klay Thompson with sauce. Russell finished with 21 points, five assists, three rebounds, and a steal in 29 minutes.
Game 4 will remain in Los Angeles on Monday at 7:00 p.m. on TNT.
