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Great analysis!
Interesting!
Although the Lakers came out with a loss, this game was more of an experiment to evaluate which lineups work and which don’t. Lebron had a great game with 34 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST, 5 3PM with shooting splits of 56.5%-45.5%-50%. Lebron played great defense with a high motor and great lateral quickness achieving 1 STL and 1 BLK. Lebron scored only 1 FG in the paint with the rest of his point coming from the mid-range and 3PT range.
Anthony Davis (AD) also looked great boasting 33 PTS, 11 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK on shooting splits of 57.7%-20%-28.6%. Although his 2-7 FT could be worrying, I believe it was just a bad night. He also played elite defense earning him 2 BLKS and 1 STL. Dwight Howard also provided some much-needed defensive identity from the bench earning him 5 PTS, 6 REB and 2 BLKS in 13 minutes.
Russel Westbrook had an off night to say the least scoring 8 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST on shooting splits of 30.8%-0%-0%. He also had a low defensive motor and 4 TOV. Warriors were caught leaving Westbrook open in the perimeter to double/triple AD on the inside. The Lakers bench underperformed in general as they were outscored by the Warriors bench by 26 points with shooting splits of 43%-50%-62.5% on low volume. The Lakers took 30 mid-range shots and only 23 shots at the rim and they cannot rely on the mid-range at a consistent level throughout the season.
The Lakers are a force to be feared in the West with Lebron and AD leading the way and a deep bench filled with talent. I believe that this loss can be attributed to lineup experimentation and some bad shooting nights. We all know Russel Westbrook gets going in the 2nd half of the season and that’s when it really matters so I believe the Lakers still have a lot to figure out but with a frontline of Lebron, AD and Russ with a deep supporting cast, I have no doubt that they will dominate.
Picture Courtesy: NBA India