Warriors past Lakers at season opener
Curry’s triple-double leads dubs to the win.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) center goes to the rim in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kent Bazemore (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
2021.10.19 – Stephen Curry had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Golden State Warriors, who rallied from 10 points down to stun LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers 121-114 in a season opener Tuesday night.
Opening night in Hollywood went well for three quarters for the Lakers superstars James, Davis, and Anthony against Curry and the Warriors.
But it was a flop for their new supporting cast, including L.A. native and former league MVP Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers went cold in the fourth quarter, and surrendered the lead halfway through the period.
James had 34 points and 11 rebounds, while Davis had 33 points and 11 rebounds. No other Lakers scored in double figures.
“Those two guys were spectacular,” coach Frank Vogel said. “We’re going to be pretty good if we get those type of performances. We just have to be better defensively. This is a team that is all new to each other, so everybody’s finding their way a little bit.”
The Lakers had an 84-74 lead late in the third quarter after a jumper by Kent Bazemore, but the Warriors slowly closed the gap.
The Warriors had too many fouls in the first quarter and didn’t really get into the flow of the game until the latter part of the quarter. When they settled down, the Warriors began to play some very competitive basketball. At the end of the first quarter they trailed by a single basket 34-32. Curry and Andre Iguodala each had eight points.
Sloppy play in the second quarter by Golden State gave the Lakers a 59-53 halftime lead. Turnovers and far too many missed shots really hurt the Warriors in the quarter. Curry was 1-4 from downtown and finished the half with ten points. LeBron James was 7-10, perfect beyond the arc at 2-2 turning in 18 points. Anthony Davis also had a great half with 20 points.
The Lakers extended their lead to nine points in the third quarter but it was the final two minutes that were big for the Warriors. They outscored the Lakers nine to one and trailed again by a single basket 85-83.
Curry made three free throws in the closing seconds of the third quarter after he was fouled taking a 3-pointer, and Jordan Poole and Damion Lee hit 3-pointers early in the fourth.
Poole’s layup with 9:17 left put the Warriors ahead for good at 91-90, and he finished with 20 points. The Warriors expanded the lead to 98-90 before the Lakers twice closed within two points.
But Curry and Nemanja Bjelica each hit 3-pointers to give the Warriors some breathing room. Bjelica had 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Lee also scored 15 points.
“We kept our composure and didn’t turn the ball over in the second half, which was a huge benefit to just maintaining the pace and giving ourselves some looks,” Curry said. “But the fact that everybody who was on the floor contributed in a meaningful way kind of speaks to our depth and how we want to play going forward. We’re excited about that and it’s good to be 1-0.”
2021.10.19 – Warriors @ LA Lakers – (NBA Video highlights)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots against Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
2021.10.19 – Warriors @ LA Lakers – (NBA Video highlights)
2021.10.19 – Warriors @ LA Lakers – (NBA Video highlights)
Davis and James dominated for much of the game while welcoming a slew of new teammates, including Westbrook, Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan.
The Lakers, who won the NBA title in the bubble in October 2020, retooled after losing to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of last season’s playoffs. They retained just three players — James, Davis and Talen Horton-Tucker, who’s out with a thumb injury.
“We didn’t finish quarters well the whole night,” Vogel said. “We gave up a 38-point fourth quarter. If you do that you’re going to lose most nights. Our defense is just not on a string yet. I thought we did a good job being up on Steph, but the back side was much better in the first half than the second half.”
James and Davis made 3-pointers and fallaway jumpers. In one remarkable sequence, James saved an errant pass and flicked it to Davis, who slammed it home for a 68-61 lead with 7:51 to go in the third quarter.
The Lakers, who went 0-6 in the preseason, led 59-53 at halftime.
2021.10.19 – Warriors’ Steve Kerr – (Post game Video)
Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) celebrates a 3-pointer against Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
2021.10.19 – Warriors’ Steve Kerr – (Post game video)
2021.10.19 – Warriors’ Steve Kerr – (Post game video)
TIP-INS
Warriors: Golden State remains without All-Star guard Klay Thompson, who continues to rehab an Achilles tendon injury that cost him the entire 2021 season. … The teams last met on May 19 when Los Angeles beat Golden State 103-100 at home in the opener of the league’s first play-in tournament.
Lakers: Howard welcomed fans with a short address just before the game, mentioning that it was the NBA’s 75th anniversary and closed by saying, “Let’s get it!” … Jordan and Bazemore started alongside James, Davis and Westbrook. … Anthony and Rondo got a nice hand when they subbed in together with 5:40 to go in the first quarter.
BIG OPENING NIGHT WIN
This was a big opening night win for the Warriors. It was a triple double for Curry. He finished with 21 points. According to Curry himself, he played like trash. He was very pleased to be able to pull this game out.
Poole would finish with 20, and Lee and Bjelica both had 15 off the bench.
UP NEXT
Warriors: Host Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
Lakers: Host Phoenix on Friday.
Related – See : Warriors Avenge Rout to Utah Jazz
Related – See below: 2018 Warriors NBA Finals (video)
Read more at: Golden State Warriors Media Services / More AP NBA
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
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2018 Warriors NBA Finals video highlights