Series-defining talking point leaves Golden State Warriors frustrated
The Los Angeles Lakers overcame a slow, uninspired beginning to obliterate the Golden State Warriors in the final two-and-a-half quarters of Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The runaway 127-97 victory now gives the Lakers a 2-1 lead in this Western Conference Semifinals series, one that’s thus far been characterized by one very distinct disparity across the first three games.
A 37-17 free-throw differential was again a major talking point in the Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 3 demolition of the Golden State Warriors.
After just one more free-throw attempt (17-16) in Game 2, the Lakers were back to getting to the free-throw line at will in Game 3. It proved the catalyst to a drastic momentum shift as the Lakers finished the first-half on a 30-8 run after the Warriors had led 40-29.
Los Angeles have now shot 83 free throws across the three games, with Golden State shooting 39 in comparison. We shouldn’t be overly surprised given these two teams ranked first and 30th in the league during the regular season, but it’s still a startling discrepancy that’s a major talking point.
Draymond Green labeled the foul-calling ‘frustrating’, with the former Defensive Player of the Year finding himself at the mercy of the referees. After limiting Anthony Davis to 11 points on 11 shots in a masterful defensive job in Game 2, Green was restricted to less than 23 minutes in the pivotal Game 3.
The 33-year-old picked up his second foul with 5:38 in the first-quarter, then his third with 3:32 remaining in the second. Davis drew another foul on Green early in the third, and Steve Kerr ran the gauntlet with him after a challenge to reverse it failed. Unfortunately the faith was misplaced this time around as Green was again stapled to the bench after his fifth with 6:54 still left in the third.
The inconsistent minutes for Green meant Davis put in another dominant display akin to Game 1, though the Warriors didn’t help themselves with some poor discipline during the ill-fated stretch to close the first-half. The Lakers’ 30-8 run included technical fouls to both Draymond and JaMychal Green, along with a flagrant 1 foul on Moses Moody.
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The free-throw disparity will continue to be a point of emphasis for everyone moving forward, with the onus well and truly on the referees in a series currently influenced by constant whistles and trips to the charity stripe.