The Lakers were simply no match for the juggernaut that is the Warriors on Tuesday night.
If there has ever been a more contrasting matchup in the NBA than the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Golden State Warriors in ORACLE Arena on Tuesday night, this one couldn’t be far behind. It was abundantly clear in the first quarter that these were two different classes of teams on the floor together: a defending champion and a lottery team. Unfortunately, the Lakers happen to be the latter.
The Warriors jumped out to a 30-11 lead in the first quarter and they never relented. Their ball-movement was as impeccable as it’s ever been while the Lakers’ defense looked sloppy at the start of the contest. To make matters worse, the sloppiness on the defensive end simply devolved into apathy and the Warriors continued to essentially score at will against this Lakers team that seemed incapable of and uninterested in stopping their opponents from scoring.
For the Lakers, too many isolation plays and not moving the ball have been problems all year. There was no improvement on Tuesday night as the Lakers offense all but turned into whoever takes the ball up the floor tries to get space and shoots a contested jumper. There were no worse offenders than Kobe Bryant and Jordan Clarkson. Clarkson, who has been a bright spot for most of the year, just went cold in Oakland as he shot just 2-11 from the floor and 0-3 from deep. Bryant’s failures were more egregious as the veteran star chucked up 14 shots while converting on only one of those attempts. If there was any question as to how Los Angeles only amassed 77 points, look no further than Kobe and the lack of ball-movement.
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
If there’s anything positive to take from the Warriors running over the Lakers to move to 16-0, D’Angelo Russell again showed the aggressiveness that the team needs from the rookie early on. Of course, Byron Scott yanked him relatively early in favor of Lou Williams because of reasons unknown. However, Russell is starting to play aggressive on a consistent basis, which is a good sign that he’s already growing and maturing.
Alas, this was a futile effort from the Lakers on Tuesday night. They never really had a chance to beat the Warriors from Jump Street, but the effort they put forth to try and shock the world was humiliatingly bad. Understanding that the Warriors are great, this game only made it more abundantly clear that something has to change for the now 2-12 Lakers.
Three stars
When Byron Scott kept him on the floor, D’Angelo Russell was the lone bright spot for the Lakers in this game. The rookie was the aggressor in the early going and, even though his line of eight points, five rebounds, and two assists isn’t overwhelming, he was the only Laker who look interested in being in ORACLE.
Stephen Curry still might not be human, but rather a video game glitch. The reigning MVP lit up the Lakers for 24 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and two steals, even with pedestrian 4-12 three-point shooting.
Draymond Green did everything in the Warriors’ domination of the Lakers. He finished the night with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks.
Highlights
Odds
The Warriors were monstrous 17-point favorites for this matchup with the Lakers, but the unbeaten defending champs managed to cover.
Next: What Can the Lakers Learn From Golden State?
Next Game
The Lakers have a substantial break over Thanksgiving, not playing again until going on the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.
The Warriors will be back in action on Friday, going on the road to play the Phoenix Suns