The Lakers have battled the Warriors to the bitter end three times this season.
Unfortunately for the purple and gold, they haven’t been able to convert strong
efforts into actual wins.
In Oakland on Friday night, the Lakers trailed by as many as 23 points before
mounting a roaring comeback that briefly gave them the lead in the fourth
quarter. But defensive miscues cost them a shot at victory, falling 113-106 to
Golden State.
Nonetheless, Lakers coach Luke Walton liked the way the Lakers refused to fold,
saying that he saw many other teams do so on the Warriors’ home floor back when
he was a Golden State assistant.
“I love our group of guys,” Walton said. “The way they compete night in and
night out, competing against some really good teams lately, is really
impressive.”
The comeback was spearheaded by Kyle Kuzma. When the Warriors (26-6) took their
biggest lead of the night, Lonzo Ball said that Kuzma told him, “I’m about to
start going.”
Kuzma delivered on his promise, racking up 27 points and 14 rebounds while only
sitting five minutes the entire night.
It was another game in which Kuzma broke out his entire offensive arsenal,
including everything from a hook shot and a reverse layup to a step-back
3-pointer and a just-plain-silly, over-the-shoulder shot in transition over the
reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Draymond Green.
Kuzma scored 19 points in the second half alone. He shot 9-of-15 from the field
and sunk three 3-pointers, becoming the first rookie Laker with three straight
25-point games since the NBA logo himself: Jerry West.
And those past three games have been against elite opponents with stout
defenses: the Warriors (twice) and Houston Rockets.
“I’m just getting more and more confident,” Kuzma said. “I feel like every shot
I take I can make. … I like playing big games. The last three games have been
pretty big.”
Walton said that Kuzma has taken full advantage of his opportunity to start. In
particular, the coach is pleased by the 27th-overall pick’s disciplined shot
selection and occasional playmaking for teammates.
“He’s just a great competitor, and I think that’s why he’s had these big
nights,” Walton said.
Kuzma pokes it away and then nails a step-back triple on the other end #LakeShow
(: ESPN) pic.twitter.com/o8pUa3Vort
For as hot as Kuzma was, even he needed some help to rally the Lakers (11-19)
back from such a big deficit.
Ball was an important cog, dropping 24 points in his second-highest scoring
performance of the year.
Golden State dared Ball to shoot — going under on screens and generally giving
him plenty of airspace — and the 20-year-old made them pay by hitting 5-of-6
from 3-point range.
It was his best display from beyond the arc this year, and Ball has now shot
47.1 percent from deep over his last five games.
Julius Randle — who hadn’t hit a triple in three weeks — also stretched out
his range, hitting a pair of 3-pointers himself.
It was a strong bounce-back game from Randle, who only played eight minutes in
Wednesday’s win over Houston.
He packed a lot of production into this contest, finishing with 21 points, 10
rebounds (five offensive) and two steals in 24 minutes against the Warriors.
Randle throws down a huge slam! #LakeShow (: ESPN) pic.twitter.com/aBxR770lfu
Randle was particularly crucial in a 17-4 run to start the quarter, scoring
seven points on a tip-in, free throws and 3-pointer. The burst momentarily gave
the Lakers a 91-89 lead with 7:26 left.
It was mostly close from there, as the Lakers trailed by two with three minutes
remaining, but then Golden State closed it out.
The Warriors scored the game’s next six points, as defensive miscommunications
sunk the Lakers’ hopes of completing the comeback.
pic.twitter.com/a6wG6ibOkg
Notes Kevin Durant led all players with 33 points and four blocks. … The
Lakers hit 11 3-pointers to Golden State’s seven. … The Warriors had 13
blocks. … Jordan Bell (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Draymond Green (13 points,
11 rebounds, seven assists) were key for Golden State. … A sold-out crowd of
19,596 packed Oracle Arena.
#KuzControl
A post shared by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Dec 22, 2017 at 10:31pm PST
Player: Lonzo Ball
Player: Kyle Kuzma
Player: Julius Randle
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/171222-lakers-warriors-recap
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Los Angeles Lakers, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Julius
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Taxonomy: Postgame Wrap
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