Five Takeaways from Lakers vs Warriors Opening Night
After a close back and forth battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, the Warriors in the fourth quarter pulled ahead building a comfortable lead defeating the Lakers 121-114 in the Staples Center.
Here are five takeaways from opening night.
Lakers Big Two
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Entering the 2021-2022 NBA season, the Lakers after acquiring Russell Westbrook, combined an already dominate duo of LeBron and AD to create the Lakers big three. On opening night based how the team played and individual performances the Lakers seemed to have a big two rather than big three. Both Lebron and AD dominated the game scoring a combined 67 points, 22 rebounds, 7 assist, and 3 blocks. The odd man out was Russell Westbrook who struggled scoring eight points on 4-13 shooting (0-4 from three), five rebounds, four assists, and four turnovers. This is not an overreaction to say acquiring was bad decision but something that was concerning throughout the game. As Westbrook didn’t look comfortable shooting, not aggressive attacking the paint, and was busy playmaking for this teammates.
I will argue that it’s expected for players to not always to perform in their debut with a new team as they have to build chemistry and find their role in real game situations. The Warriors defensive game plan also deserves credit for denying Russ a path to the basket by collapsing players and creating a wall to prevent any easy baskets. Whenever Russ did get to the paint however he just couldn’t finish. Overall this is just one game and fans should give it a month to determine whether Russ on the Lakers was good or bad move.
2. Stephen Curry the Playmaker
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Coming off a MVP-caliber season, many fans and the media expected Stephen Curry to repeat the numbers he had last year into this season. Curry a known threat whether he had the ball or off the ball, was a screen away from a double digit point game. However against the Lakers, Curry the league leading scorer last season had an off night. Thanks to Kent Bazemore and the Lakers game plan to be physical, go over screens, and make Curry a facilitator rather than a scorer. As Curry instead impacted the game in many other ways gaining his 10th career triple double posting 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Something I kinda laughed at considering he went up against Russell Westbrook who is known to be a triple double machine.
3. Warriors Bench Showed Up
Jordan Poole celebrates after knocking down a three. Poole was 4/11 from three and was the spark for the Warriors in the second half.
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Nemanja Bjelica scoring in the post over Avery Bradley.
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When Stephen Curry was having a off shooting night and rest the starters were having slow starts. The Warriors bench rallied together scoring a combined 55 points. The Lakers five man bench due to injuries on the other hand had 29 points. So as the Warriors were down or needed energy, the bench came through knocking down threes and scoring easy points the paint. As Bjelica had 15, Iguodala had 12, Damion Lee had 15, and Jordan Poole although a starter and likely the team’s sixth man scored 20. Going forward the Warriors proved opening night that their bench will be something basketball fans can be about excited this season.
4. Free Throw Struggles
Carmelo’s reaction to his free throw violation
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What it came to easy points and moments to change the montemum of the game, the Lakers struggled shooting free throws. The Lakers went 9-19 or 47.4% from the free throw line. Which you can say is inexcusable but more or less something the team has to fix moving forward considering there were 43 fouls (25 for the Lakers and 18 for the Warriors) called in the game. Allowing both teams opportunities to gain easy points and alter leads. The Warriors exploited the calls and free throws shooting a comfortable 25-30 or 83.3% from the line.
5. Showtime Lakers
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With the acquisition of Russell Westbrook, the Lakers tempo on offense was expected to increase especially on the fast break. The Lakers last year ranked 11th in fast break points, so with Russell Westbrook who is known to go 100 mph combined with LeBron and AD. The Lakers down the lane are a threat to many teams in the NBA. Versus the Warriors, the lakers gained 20 fastbreak points with some of them being on turnovers.
