After grinding for weeks to stay above the play-in cut-off line, the Los Angeles Lakers are finally in a position to make a run in the Western Conference playoffs. In their first matchup, against the Grizzlies, they are being tested and challenged in every way, but the team is looking to seize control of the series with a win in Los Angeles on Saturday.
In what will be L.A.’s first real home playoff game in years, the expectation is that the crowd will be rocking for Game 3. In a chat with the media on Friday, LeBron James spoke a bit about the crowd and about the atmosphere in Crypto.com arena.
“I’m looking forward to it,” James said. “I don’t know the exact date when the last playoff game was in that building. Obviously, we have a playoff game this year and two years ago but this is an actual playoff game so I know they [the fans] are looking forward to it and so are we.”
LEBRON JAMES IS LOCKED IN FOR GAME 3 đź‘‘ pic.twitter.com/3MxzRwS8T5
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) April 21, 2023
The Lakers will need a total and complete effort from everyone if they want to go up 3-1 in the series. With LeBron at nearly 40 years old now, he cannot and should not be counted on to lead the Lakers by himself.
In reality, it’s Anthony Davis who is the key to success for the Lakers and it will be interesting to see how he plays back at home with thousands of loyal fans watching.
Anthony Davis Needs To Step Up For Lakers To Have A Chance
Davis dropped just 13 points in Game 2, and there is no question that he needs to be better if the Lakers want to get out of this series alive.
“It was shameful,” said Stephen A. Smith. “Especially by Anthony Davis. He should be ashamed of himself the way he played last night. I will remind you that Steven Adams is gone. I will remind you that some dude named Xavier Tillman rolled up in there and had 22 points and 13 rebounds. You knew coming into the series that Anthony Davis has to be the focus. He was nowhere to be found. That is unconscionable. The one person that you were supposed to be able to rely upon was Anthony Davis and he was a no-show. Period. Shameful performance. Shameful.”
If you’re a Lakers fan, you have to expect for Davis to come out with a vengeance in Game 3, and it could give the home team the edge they need to pull out a win. If not, the Lakers could be ins serious trouble, especially if Ja Morant is at least partially effective.
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