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05/21/2021

Game Recap: Lakers 103, Warriors 100
The Warriors’ defense was nearly as resilient as that of the Lakers. James and Anthony Davis struggled in the first half, but combined for 36 (of their 47) points on 14-for-22 shooting after halftime. Against two of the league’s top five defenses, the stars still found ways to score, and the biggest star of his generation hit the biggest shot of the night.
The victory sends the defending champs back to the playoffs, where they will face the No. 2 seed Phoenix Suns in the first round, with Game 1 set for Sunday in Phoenix (3:30 ET, ABC). This season has been a struggle, mired by significant injuries to both James and Davis. Finishing as the No. 7 seed and likely having to start every series on the road is a challenge that nobody could have expected the Lakers to face when this season began. The two stars clearly aren’t back to 100%, but as long as they’re on the floor, the Lakers have a chance to repeat.
The Suns won two of the three regular season meetings and only two teams scored more efficiently against the Lakers’ No. 1 defense. But the Lakers didn’t have both James (played in only the first meeting) and Davis (played in only the third) for any of the three.
The Warriors get one more chance to get back to the playoffs.