The last time the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers faced off in the playoffs was in 1991. And now, for the first time in 32 years, both sides will meet in the postseason again at the Chase Center on Tuesday.
The Lakers got the better of the Warriors in the ’91 Western Conference Finals before losing to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals. But a lot has changed in the three decades since. LA has won six championships since then, while the Warriors have four — all of which Stephen Curry and Co. have been part of.
Between 2014 and 2018, they managed to get the better of LeBron James, who was back with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and now, he faces off against the same trio of Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, this time as a Laker.
The Warriors come into their home turf on the back of a resounding 4-3 series win against the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Lakers fared marginally better, putting away the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 to win 4-2.
Numbers aside, this series is all about who wants it that bad so they could make the Conference finals and book a date with either the Phoenix Suns or the Denver Nuggets. Golden State is at a disadvantage since they have only had one day of rest, and the Lakers will be eager to draw first blood and carry on with that healthy lead, much like they did against the Grizzlies.
James isn’t taking the Warriors lightly. Ahead of the game, he explained the margins that could cost them. “You can’t make a mistake. They’ll make you pay. You can’t make a mistake. It’s that simple.”
And that pretty much sums up the LA game plan for the matchup. On that note, here’s a look at the projected starters, the injury reports from both camps, and the predictions.
Related:
Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James Head-To-Head Record In The Playoffs: 15-7, 3-1 In Series
Golden State Warriors Expected Lineups And Injuries Updates
Patrick Baldwin Jr. (toe soreness) is listed as questionable for the Warriors, but the rest of the unit is primed to take the floor.
The Warriors will likely field a familiar five in Klay Thompson (G), Stephen Curry (G), Andrew Wiggins (F), Draymond Green (F), and Kevon Looney (C).
Los Angeles Lakers Expected Lineups And Injuries Updates
Per ESPN’s updated injury report, Anthony Davis (foot), LeBron James (foot), and Dennis Schroder (Achilles) are probable. Mo Bamba (ankle) is questionable.
The Lakers will see D’Angelo Russell (G), Austin Reaves (G), LeBron James (F), Jarred Vanderbilt (F), and Anthony Davis (C) take the hardwood.
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions
When it comes to offense, the Lakers will rely heavily on James and Davis to outplay Curry and Thompson, except the LA superstars haven’t fired well enough against the Grizzlies. And the one way perhaps to stop Curry, who at the moment looks unguardable, is by putting Vanderbilt or Schroder on him to tire him out.
The Lakers’ defense will be tested in this series, and that would mean an all-hands-on-deck scenario where every player coming on the court will need to ensure that the Warriors’ offense doesn’t get going. If they indeed manage to rebound better than Kevon Looney, that’s another small win that would help them over the course of the series.
For now, there’s no telling who the firm favorites are, but consider rest day as a factor, and the Lakers edge Golden State. Expect this battle to go down to the wire.
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