Dave McMenaminESPN Staff Writer May 7, 2023 2:29 am ET4 Minute Read
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers’ 127-97 win in Game 3 over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday meant Los Angeles began their second straight series with a win, followed by a loss and then responded with another win to complete 2- to ascend. 1.
With Los Angeles seemingly on a seesaw — losing by 27 on Thursday only to win by 30 two days later — LeBron James is telling his teammates to ignore the outside noise that occurs after every game result.
“For the young guys who haven’t competed in the postseason or haven’t gotten a lot of postseason experience, just stay off the TV and social media,” advised James after amassing 21 points, eight rebounds and eight helps. “You win a game, everyone is the best player in the world; you lose a game, they throw dirt on you. It’s literally that simple. It’s all about training your mind for the next challenge. And what comes next? Challenge? This game is over, we played well. okay cool But we have another one on Monday.'”
Anthony Davis has become the face of the Lakers’ postseason ups and downs, with some fans suggesting his AD nickname stands for “alternate days” as his play differs night to night.
While it’s only been nine games so far — a small sample size compared to the consistency he’s displayed averaging 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 56 regular-season games — the game went hot and cold for Davis on Saturday.
Notably, he opened the streak with 30 points and 23 rebounds in a Game 1 win. He followed that up with 11 and 7 in a Game 2 loss. And then it was 25 points and 13 rebounds in Game 3.
Davis, after the Lakers improved to 6-3 in the playoffs – 10 wins away from the title – said he hadn’t heard any criticism of his performances and didn’t think his approach varied from game to game, even if his numbers have.
“I’m not on social media,” Davis said. “My teammates don’t talk about it, my circle, my inner circle doesn’t talk about it, so I haven’t talked about it [heard about it]. It’s crazy.”
Davis was 7-on-10 from the field in Game 3 and 11-on-12 from the foul line. He was 5-on-11 from the field (1-on-1 on free throws) in Game 2 and 11-on-19 (8-on-8 on free throws) in Game 1.
“The same shots I had in Game 1, I had in Game 2. I made Game 1, I missed Game 2,” he said. “The same shots that I had in Game 2, I had in Game 3. And I missed in Game 2 and made in Game 3. So I look at it like I just missed shots. I didn’t do anything differently.
“I know, especially this time of year, I put everything on the ground and that’s all I can do.”
The biggest change in the Lakers’ approach in Game 3 was that coach Darvin Ham let Lonnie Walker IV skip over Troy Brown Jr. and Malik Beasley in his rotation. Walker, who had played 27 total minutes in Saturday’s playoffs, had 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting in 25 minutes and added four rebounds and two steals.
The biggest difference in the Lakers’ effectiveness was in their defensive backs. After the Warriors hit 42 3s in their first two games — a record for most 3s in two games to open a streak — Golden State shot 13 to 44 (29.5%) in Game 3.
“We’re one of the best defensive teams in the league, if not the best,” James said, echoing the same phrase he said after the Game 2 loss. “And in order for us to reach our potential, we have to defend at a high level. And there’s no team in this league that tests you more on this side than Golden State.”
The Lakers know that nothing that happened in Game 3 — including D’Angelo Russell’s 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting starting with the first 11 points in the first quarter — is a guaranteed precursor to what’s going to happen in the game at Monday will be 4 of these Western Conference Semifinals in Los Angeles or Wednesday’s Game 5 in San Francisco or beyond.
Just as Ham preaches, ever since the Lakers struggled to level their 2-10 start to the season by qualifying for the play-in tournament, they can control the game with energy, effort and urgency.
Shots will be fired. Shots will miss. Players’ legs will feel fresh in one game and tired the next.
As James and Davis said Saturday, however, the Lakers’ mindset can remain stable as long as they are disciplined.
“Make no mistake, the deficit, we win by whatever, 30 doesn’t represent who this team really is. Just like losing Game 2 doesn’t represent who we are,” Ham said. “It’s going to be a fight to the end.”