AD, Lakers Too Much in Game 1
05/03/2023
By: Jeff Yoder
Lakers Hold Off Warriors in Game 1 (117-112); Knicks Bounce Back to Even Series With Heat (111-105)
As expected, Game 1 of the NBA’s must-watch series delivered. The Lakers and Warriors traded blows in a back-and-forth game that featured a frenetic finish. The Warriors went on a 14-0 run late in the 4th quarter to tie the game at 112-all before the Lakers clamped down on Steph Curry. Both Curry (27) and Klay Thompson (25) hit six 3s each, but Anthony Davis (30-23-5) looks like the x-factor in the series with his size advantage against Golden State. LeBron James (22-11-5) added a double-double, and the Lakers take over home-court advantage in the most intriguing series of the postseason. Out east, the Knicks took advantage of a Heat squad missing Jimmy Butler (ankle) with a 4th-quarter takeover. New York’s big 3 — Jalen Brunson (30), Julius Randle (25-12-8), and R.J. Barrett (24) — combined for 79 points. The Knicks’ starters went a combined 16-for-32 from deep, and it’s all even heading back to Miami.
Conference Semifinals Highlights
Gm 1: Lakers def. Warriors (117-112) | LAL Leads (1-0)
Gm 2: Knicks def. Heat (111-105) | Series Tied (1-1)
Top Performers
A. Davis (LAL): 30 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks
J. Brunson (NYK): 30 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
S. Curry (GSW): 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
K. Thompson (GSW): 25 points
L. James (LAL): 22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks
Tonight’s Schedule
Gm 2: 76ers at Celtics (8:00 pm ET) | PHI Leads (1-0)
Additional Storylines
Yahoo! Sports: Davis Anchors Lakers to Take Game 1 in San Fran
B/R: AD Too Much for Looney: Biggest X-Factors That Will Decide Lakers-Warriors
USA Today: Brunson, Randle Help Knicks Even Series Against Heat
Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images