The Los Angeles Lakers recorded an incredible upset, defeating the Golden State Warriors by 20 points.
Final score
Lakers 115
Warriors 95
The Golden State Warriors (4-1) make the 90-minute flight to Los Angeles for their matchup with the Lakers (2-3) this weekend. Join us from 1:30pm (AEDT) for all the live scores and commentary.
After their total destruction of the Oklahoma City Thunder (122-96), Golden State head south a few hundred miles to face the rested Lakers. Luke Walton will have his team prepared for a fight, but there’s no denying that the Lakers are up against it here.
The big offseason move of Kevin Durant to California has paid dividends for him and the Warriors so far – they’ve won four straight and he’s averaging 30 points and 9 rebounds, colossal numbers early in the season.
Durant’s form has taken the load (and some spotlight) off Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Thompson in particular is having a strange kind of start to the year, only shooting 20 per cent from three point range and averaging five less points per game. Is this just a blip as the team sorts out how to suit everyone, or is Klay the one who is getting squeezed? There’s plenty of time left to find out.
Los Angeles are rested and coming with winning form after dispatching Atlanta 123-116 on Thursday (our time). The score against is notable though- the least number of points LA have conceded so far is 96 and that’s not the mark of a functional defence.
The Lakers backcourt of D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson are undeniable young talents that will blossom for the Lakers in the years to come, but guarding Curry, Thompson and co with little to no help? Forget it.
The only glimmer for Lakers fans is that the Warriors are on game two of a back-to-back run and the Lakers are well rested so could theoretically push for a full four quarters.
That’s a very faint glimmer though – let’s be honest – it’s only game six for both teams and the sheer gulf in talent on show will more than make up for any fatigue.
In any event, the Warriors are reasonably well rested after being able to give key players extended bench time during the butchering of the Thunder.
Expect to see Golden State put this one to bed early as they start to work their way into season 2016-17.
Prediction
Golden State by a mile.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage from 1:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your thoughts on the game!
AJ Mithen
Expert
That concludes the second of two NBA upsets today! What a game by Los Angeles. If they keep that up good things are coming for certain. Thanks for joining me for the play-by-play, don't forget to head back to the homepage for all the live sport and opinion you will ever need!
AJ Mithen
Expert
FULLTIME STATS ALERT Lakers Randle: 20 points, 14 rebounds (6 offensive) Williams: 20 points, 3 steals Warriors Durant: 27 points, 5 rebounds Green: 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals Curry: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, 0/10 three point Thompson: 10 points, 2/10 three points, 4 turnovers Lakers win rebounds 51-40 Golden State shot 5/32 three points Assists 26-26
AJ Mithen
Expert
END Q4 - LAKERS WIN 117-97 The game rolls to the end and the massive upset is a reality! Boy, how wrong I was going into this one. What a game by this young Lakers team. They made a big statement tonight leading from post to post. The Warriors shot like a midweek F7 grade side - they shot three after three after three after three and just couldn't get them to drop. Kevin Durant was easily their standout with 27 but outside of his efforts there was nothing. Lakers Coach Luke Walton is undefeated against his old side, the Lakers put on a great show for the home fans, Julius Randle and Lou Williams were great, D'Angelo did a great job frustrating Steph Curry all night... It was pretty much the perfect outing for the home team. They withstood two strong runs by the Warriors which will give them a massive amount of confidence. What did you make of that, Roarers? Warriors 95 Lakers 115
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 53 seconds left Lou Williams two more! He has 20 off the bench. Then Randle gets another basket just as the shot clock expires! He's got 20 points and 14 rebounds! Warriors 95 Lakers 115
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 4.12 left Golden State have sat their starters! They've conceded. What an effort by the Lakers. The 18,000 strong crowd will savour these last few minutes. The Warriors have been quite poor, but Los Angeles have made them so. Warriors 91 Lakers 111
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 4.12 left Curry bounces it away after Nance gets two. The body language isn't good for the Dubs... And they've conceded 58 points in the paint tonight. What does that mean I wonder? Warriors 91 Lakers 109
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 5.00 left Warriors turn it over again and Nance gets a VERY favourable bounce for two! Curry gets two on the layup and the Lakers call timeout. Warriors 91 Lakers 107
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 6.20 left Far from being spooked, the young Lakers are driving this one home! Randle gets the tip in and the Warriors are almost shot... Green gets two to stay in touch. Warriors 89 Lakers 105
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 7.33 left Golden State are FIVE FROM THIRTY from three point range!! Green sinks two but Williams hits ANOTHER THREE and Randle gets two down low!! Warriors 87 Lakers 103
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 7.56 left Duelling turnovers from poor play before Lou Williams HITS THE THREE!!! Lakers out by 13! Warriors 85 Lakers 98
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 8.46 left Black commits the offensive foul. Lakers have to try to avoid things like that... Warriors 85 Lakers 95
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 9.14 left Durant makes two, Thompson misses a WIDE OPEN three, Durant gets the rebound, is fouled and shoots two. He makes one. Warriors 85 Lakers 95
AJ Mithen
Expert
A quick note to say Steph Curry is 0-8 from three... He hasn't not made at least one three in a game since 2014!!
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q4 10.00 left After what was to be honest a bit of rubbish shooting from everyone, the first score of the last quarter goes to Lou Williams after he pickpockets Thompson! Warriors call timeout. Warriors 82 Lakers 95
AJ Mithen
Expert
END 3Q Ingram makes a strong, strong shot to finish the quarter after a Curry turnover. Los Angeles settled somewhat to end the third but lost the 12 minutes 33-28... will they bring it home? They've done all the hard work! Warriors 82 Lakers 93
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q3 30 seconds left Williams again! Fouled shooting the three and he gets 2/3. He's playing a steady hand for Los Angeles. Warriors 82 Lakers 91
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q3 55 seconds left Williams makes two more! Clarkson fouls Durant and he makes one. Warriors have had a LOT of free points from free throws this quarter. Warriors 82 Lakers 89
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q3 1.20 left Lou Williams with the three point play for the Lakers! They start to pull away... But Kevin Durant pulls them right back with the three, and Looney makes two! Six point game! Warriors 81 Lakers 87
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q3 2.24 left Tough, tough foul called on Green. Ingram makes the two free throws. Tarik Black fouls Kevon Looney, who makes 1/2. Warriors 76 Lakers 84
AJ Mithen
Expert
Q3 2.45 left Young fouls Green. He'll shoot two. He gets one. Ingram misses for the Lakers and then Green gets two more - the Lakers turn it over again and Curry is fouled! He'll shoot two. The Warriors are already in the penalty zone this quarter - they'll shoot two every time the Lakers foul. Curry makes both. Warriors 75 Lakers 82