Three-Point Defense
Unlike free-throw shooting and turnovers, the Lakers have one of the best three-point shooting defenses in the league. The team ranks second in opponent three-point percentages in the entire league with a 34.3 percent rate.
Last night, that stat lived up to its expectation as well. The Lakers held the Warriors to 29.2 percent shooting from deep. Moreover, the team only allowed Golden State to make seven three-pointers – a season-low for the champs.
The Lakers responded to this defense by knocking down 11 threes of their own. Additionally, the team shot 37.9 percent from deep, which is much better than their league-lowest 33 percent rate.
L.A. has been one of the best teams at slowing down the Warriors’ three-point success this year. With the defense getting better, team chemistry building, and Luke Walton gaining more coaching experience look for the team to be a playoff contender in the next few seasons.