Golden State Warriors’ comeback effort falls short as differing styles evident in Game 1

The Golden State Warriors have dropped Game 1 of their second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, falling 117-112 despite a strong comeback effort late in a tense fourth-quarter at Chase Center.

The defending champions found themselves down 14 with less than six minutes remaining, but a previously quiet Stephen Curry rallied to have nine points as part of a 14-0 run to tie the game. Golden State failed to score over the final 90 seconds though, and their hopes were dashed when Jordan Poole’s potentially game-tying three went awry in the final ten seconds.

A three-point happy Golden State Warriors were belted on the interior as the Los Angeles Lakers stole home-court advantage in Game 1.

After taking advantage of the Sacramento Kings’ lack of rim protection in the first-round, the Warriors were glaringly wary of Anthony Davis’ presence throughout the entirety of Game 1. The hosts put up 53 three-point attempts, nearly 12 more than their league-leading regular season average of 41.4

Conversely, the Lakers took just 25 shots from deep, attacking on the inside to outscore the Warriors 52-30 in paint points. That also translated to the free-throw line in a game-defining differential of 29-6 in attempts.

Davis was the architect of that interior dominance, finishing with 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists and four blocks to be the undoubted best player in the game. Kevon Looney had another 20+ rebound performance with 23, though it never felt as impactful than what they were against the Kings in Game 7.

After Golden State opened the game on a 10-2 run, Los Angeles had the majority of the momentum until the Warriors burst late in the fourth. Curry had been well held by a determined Jarred Vanderbilt for a large portion of the game, leading to 25 field-goal attempts from an aggressive Klay Thompson.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, Thompson would go 9-for-25 from the field for 25 points, with Curry leading the way with 27. Jordan Poole was improved with 21, six assists and zero turnovers, though his shot selection on the final two possessions will again come under scrutiny.

JaMychal Green, seeing rare floor time above second-year forward Jonathan Kuminga, was the only Warrior to shoot 50% or more as he made two of his four attempts from deep in the first-half. They would shoot just 40.6% from the field in comparison to the Lakers’ 46.7%.

Golden State will need to quickly find an answer for Davis ahead of Game 2 on Thursday, particularly given LeBron James had an uncharacteristically poor 22 points on 24 shots. On the basis of this first game, the series appears like being defined on whether the Warriors can make their shots from three-point range.