3 ways the Golden State Warriors can exploit the Los Angeles Lakers

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 06: Mychal Mulder #15, Stephen Curry #30 and Juan Toscano-Anderson #95 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center on May 06, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 06: Mychal Mulder #15, Stephen Curry #30 and Juan Toscano-Anderson #95 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center on May 06, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Warriors must make anyone other than Anthony Davis beat them

In the Lakers regular-season finale, LeBron James almost sprained his ankle again. He’s been battling that injury for a few weeks now. While we would never wish an injury upon James, it’s clear he may not be 100 percent this entire postseason run.

That will leave a bit more on Anthony Davis’ shoulders. Davis is a superstar in his own right, but he hadn’t had much postseason success until joining the Lakers. If they’re going to repeat, it’ll be because he takes his game to the next level.

Davis is the player Golden State needs to shut down, and given that the Lakers usually play Davis at the four and either Marc Gasol or Andre Drummond at the five, it’ll be Draymond Green that must step up to bat and limit the eight-time All-Star.

Davis is averaging 21.8 points per game but that soars to 24.4 per 36 minutes. He’s not getting the minutes as the Lakers have utilized him less as he’s either been returning from injury or the Lake Show has been leading by a wide margin late in games.

The talent is still there. He has an under 24 points per game career average while almost topped 29 per game during his three postseason trips. Davis is the key, and forcing someone else to torch them must be something Golden State does.