Coming out of the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Lakers needed to start what they hope will be a furious push toward a playoff spot with a convincing win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
They did exactly that. They built an early lead and continually extended it to notch a runaway, 124-111, win at Crypto.com Arena.
Golden State was without Stephen Curry, who is still recovering from a lower leg injury, and Andrew Wiggins, who was out due to a personal matter, and the Lakers took advantage.
They played their style and tempo. They got out and ran to the tune of 29 fast-break points. Despite struggling with their 3-point shooting the last two seasons, they hit 16-of-30 from downtown while also outrebounding the Warriors by 10.
Along with the team’s last game, a 120-102 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, this contest was evidence that L.A.’s new additions are working well and that it has the potential to be a very good team once it gels together as a unit.