LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James did not take a shot within the first quarter of Recreation 3 for the primary time in his NBA-record 275 playoff appearances, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ residence crowd rumbled with gentle uncertainty every time he handed the ball as an alternative.

Seems James and his Lakers had been simply taking some time to heat up earlier than they steamrolled the Golden State Warriors.

Anthony Davis had 25 factors and 13 rebounds, a slow-starting James completed with 21 factors, eight assists and eight rebounds, and the Lakers took a 2-1 lead of their second-round playoff collection with a 127-97 victory Saturday evening.

D’Angelo Russell hit 5 3-pointers whereas scoring 21 factors for the seventh-seeded Lakers, who remained unbeaten at residence within the postseason with a robust defensive effort towards the reigning NBA champions. Los Angeles seized management within the center quarters, outscoring the Warriors 63-38 to show Recreation 3 right into a laugher.

“We’re among the best defensive groups within the league, if not one of the best,” James mentioned. “For us to achieve our potential, now we have to defend at a excessive degree. Not one crew on this league assessments you extra in that than Golden State, so now we have to be alert for a take a look at on each single possession.”

James curiously did not shoot the ball till effectively into the second quarter, but he led the best way whereas Los Angeles pulled away. The 38-year-old additionally combined in a handful of performs that defied his age and 20 years of NBA expertise, making a deft spin move and blocking a shot on the opposite finish shortly after he leaped the front row of fans and ran effectively up into the stands following a deflection.

“That is simply how the sport was going,” James mentioned of his uncommon begin. “I did not wish to power it. Simply let the sport come to me and make my imprint when wanted.”

Stephen Curry scored 23 factors and Andrew Wiggins had 16 in a collective stinker for the Warriors, who dedicated 19 turnovers and by no means mounted a response to the Lakers on both finish within the second half. Golden State went 13 for 44 on 3-pointers — making simply 10 whereas the sport was nonetheless aggressive — after hitting 21 in every of the collection’ first two video games in San Francisco.

Recreation 4 is Monday evening in Los Angeles.

Davis had a formidable bounce-back sport below each baskets, blocking 4 pictures and main the Lakers’ newest sturdy defensive effort. Los Angeles has constructed its 16-5 runs since March 17 on protection, and the Warriors could not hit sufficient pictures from the perimeter to counteract their weaknesses in measurement and athleticism.

“After that first quarter, guys simply actually turned it up,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham mentioned. “They dialed up their competitiveness, and their communication was nice. … We had been simply enjoying a extremely bodily, forceful downhill sport.”

Klay Thompson had 15 factors and 7 rebounds for the Warriors, however the remainder of the roster past their high three scorers struggled mightily, combining for simply 18 factors earlier than coach Steve Kerr pulled his starters with 9:11 to play. Draymond Inexperienced had two factors in 23 minutes whereas enjoying with foul bother.

“As ugly as this was tonight, now we have a chance to reply on Monday, so there isn’t any level in dwelling on it and hanging our heads and getting discouraged,” Thompson mentioned. “We all know easy methods to reply. We have carried out it in our existence for 10 years right here.”

The Warriors had been held below 100 factors for under the fifth time in 92 video games this season. Additionally they acquired two technical fouls to argue with the officers, who whistled Golden State for 22 fouls to the Lakers’ 21.

“You possibly can’t get distracted by stuff you’ll be able to’t management,” Curry mentioned. “As a lot because it’s irritating, it is the take a look at that each crew has to undergo all through the collection, blocking out that stuff as a lot as we are able to. We clearly know who we’re and what we’re able to, all of the issues we all the time say after a loss.”

After an thrilling opener, this much-anticipated playoff rematch between generational superstars James and Curry has featured extra rubbish time than memorable thrills. After Ham sat down his stars earlier than the fourth quarter of Recreation 2, Kerr pulled the plug whereas dealing with a 26-point deficit early within the fourth quarter of Recreation 3.

FIGHT ON

James’ son, Bronny, introduced his resolution to play on the College of Southern California about two hours earlier than tipoff. The 18-year-old was among the many high uncommitted recruits within the nation, and he selected to remain near residence with a loaded Trojans crew coming off its third straight NCAA Event look. Bronny James, USC hoops coach Andy Enfield and Trojans soccer coach Lincoln Riley all attended Recreation 3.

TIP-INS

Warriors: JaMychal Inexperienced stayed within the beginning lineup even with Kevon Looney out there to play in Recreation 3. Looney missed Recreation 2 with an sickness. … Andre Iguodala has elevated his workload and will return to observe subsequent week, Kerr mentioned. The veteran has been out since March 13 after having surgical procedure on his left wrist. … Moses Moody acquired a flagrant foul within the second quarter for tripping Davis.

Lakers: James handed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for fifth place on the NBA’s profession playoff rebounding listing. … One other celebrity-laden sellout crowd gathered for the Lakers’ longest playoff run of their residence area since 2012. Followers close to courtside included Michael B. Jordan, Kim Kardashian, Woody Harrelson, Don Cheadle, Dustin Hoffman, Nia Lengthy, Adele, Andy Garcia , Kevin Hart and quarterback Bryce Younger, the Pasadena native and No. 1 general choose by Carolina in final month’s NFL draft.

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