A smaller starting lineup has paid instant dividends for the Golden State Warriors against a short-handed Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, with the hosts recording a dominant 124-98 victory behind an 81-point first-half.
After a rough offensive showing in Sunday's preseason opener against the L.A Clippers, the Warriors were clicking on all cylinders during the first 24 minutes thanks to dominant performances from Stephen Curry and 11th overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg.
Warriors' new lineup shines behind Stephen Curry and Yaxel Lendeborg
Al Horford's absence saw Steve Kerr go to a smaller lineup featuring a frontcourt of Gui Santos, Lendeborg and Draymond Green, with it evidently allowing Golden State to play quicker as they poured in 45 points in an explosive first-quarter.
Curry had two four-point plays as part of his 16 points and five assists on 4-of-7 shooting in just 14 minutes, proving the 38-year-old hasn't lost a step as he enters year 18. The more exciting outcomes for the Warriors were the performances of Lendeborg and Podziemski, both of who will be key in the team's improvement and overall hopes this season.
Lendeborg certainly listened to Steve Kerr's desire for him to be more aggressive, regularly attacking downhill and proving too big for any Laker defender trying to stop him. He also went 2-of-3 from 3-point range, finishing with a team-high 17 points while adding another nine rebounds in only 21 minutes.
Podziemski added 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting in less than 20 minutes. His speed to the cup was a major highlight, particularly off the ball as Green regularly found him as part of the veteran forward's game-high eight assists.
Warriors may have to stay small to open the season
With Kristaps Porzingis facing another health concern and the Warriors wanting to manage Horford's minutes through a bench role, their best chance at success may be to start small and play with some more speed while maintaining a five-out offense.
Kerr would still be concerned with the turnover issues after his team gave the ball away on 23 occasions, yet that might be the trade off of playing a little quicker and the reality is the team doesn't have enough offensive talent to be a great half-court offense.
Whether it works as effectively against a full-strength Lakers and generally against better teams remains to be seen, but Tuesday's performance nonetheless provided a nice blueprint and some much-need confidence after Golden State posted just 43 points in the first-half against the Clippers on Sunday.
The Warriors will now travel to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back on Tuesday, with their key veterans not expected to travel in what is a bizzarre three games in four nights situation in preseason.
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