Here is what you need to know before the Lakers host the defending-champion Golden State Warriors.
1) Kobe Bryant is considered questionable for his final game against Golden State due to a sore shoulder, but he has already done more than enough damage against the Warriors in his 20-year career. The 18-time All-Star has scored 1,800 points against Los Angeles’ Pacific Division foes — more than versus any other opponent.
2) Bryant is far from the only Laker on the mend. Anthony Brown (stress reaction, right foot) is out for at least four weeks, while Lou Williams (hamstring strain) also won’t suit up. Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson is considered questionable due to a patella tendon strain.
3) Incredibly, the Warriors have made last year’s championship run look mediocre compared to their current dominant season. Golden State has amassed a 55-5 record, which is the best in NBA history through 60 games. Should they finish this final stretch 18-4 or better, the Warriors will surpass the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls for the best regular season ever.
4) An enormous part of Golden State’s success has been its historic ability to knock down 3-pointers. The Warriors are on pace to hit 12.9 triples per game — shattering Houston’s league record of 11.4 from last year. But it’s more than just volume, as their 41.7 percent mark from deep would trail only the 1996-97 Charlotte Hornets, who hit 42.8 percent when the 3-point line was shortened for two seasons.
5) However, it would be naive to think of Golden State as only a 3-point shooting team. It is also on pace to average the most points (115.4) since the Warriors themselves from 25 years ago (118.7), while dishing out the most assists (29.1) since the 1991-92 Indiana Pacers (29.2).
6) The only way teams have been able to top the Warriors this year is by conjuring up plenty of their own offense. Since the start of last season, Golden State is 60-0 when holding opponents to fewer than 100 points.
7) Reigning MVP Stephen Curry has performed at an unprecedented level this season, including leading the league in scoring (30.7) and putting himself on track for the highest player efficiency rating in NBA history (32.9). With 20 games still left on the schedule, Curry has already broken his own league record for made 3s, with 293 heading into Sunday’s contest.
8) There’s really never a good time to face Curry, but the Lakers are catching him during an nearly surreal stretch of play. He is averaging 41.6 points and 7.3 3-pointers in his last five games, while also chipping in 5.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists, plus shooting 58.3 percent from the field.
Stephen Curry Shot Chart (Last Five Games)
9) As if having Curry wasn’t enough, the Warriors also boast another one the league’s top shooters. Klay Thompson’s average of 3.2 3-pointers trails only Curry (5.1), and he also tops the NBA in catch-and-shoot scoring (10.1).
10) Golden State’s third and final All-Star might be the NBA’s most complete, all-around player. Draymond Green leads the league in triple-doubles (11) and is on pace for the most assists (7.4) by a big since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967-68 (8.6). Still, he might be even more impressive on his defensive end, where he is holding opponents to a league’ low 39.0 field goal percentage when guarded by him.
