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

The Warriors must make LeBron defend by getting Andrew Wiggins going early

Stephen Curry has shown that he can do it all for the Warriors, but this isn’t going to be another regular-season game. This is the Dubs going against the Lakers, a team that had one of the best defensive ratings in the NBA until they got banged up.

Returning to full strength near the end of the season, the Lakers ended with the best defensive rating. They were one of five teams to finish with a defensive rating under 110. This team is going to be able to challenge Curry’s every shot.

That’s where Andrew Wiggins must get going. We’ve also noted how James, who plays the three for the Lakers, may not be 100 percent. James may also opt to guard Draymond Green, giving the responsibility of Wiggins to Davis.

Given Davis’s ability to protect the rim, that feels like an unlikely switch. Assuming LeBron takes on the challenge of Wiggins, it’ll be on head coach Steve Kerr to make sure James works on the defensive end.

Wiggins is averaging 18.6 points per game, shooting over 47 percent from the field. His percentages from both the field and deep the highest in his seven-year career. With two efforts in which he’s notched at least 40 points, Wiggins can take over.

He’s one of the Warriors’ only shot creators. If he gets going, it would help Curry out quite a bit.