Former NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers marked their return to action on a winning note after dismissing current champs Golden State Warriors 121-114 at the Crypto.com Arena on Thursday’s resumption of the league.
The game which would have been viewed as the main match-up among several fixtures in the league’s first games back since the All-star weekend break provided an entertaining showdown in LA.
It was a competitive first half for both teams as they exchanged quarter leads going into the break.
The host team-Lakers claimed the opening period; 31-23 before the Warriors flipped the script in the second taking that quarter; 33-28 as Lebron was restricted to just 13 points on the night.
It was more of the same in the second half with the lakers taking the third quarter 36-24.
The Lakers making the most of Steph Curry’s absence.
Despite relinquishing the fourth and final quarter 29-31, the damage was already done as the Lakers held on for an over lead of 121-114 at the buzzer.
The result makes it back-to-back victories over Golden State for the Lakers who beat marginally beats the Warriors 109-103 last time out in an away game.
13th place Lakers are now just one win behind Golden State who’s in 10th on 29 wins having played two games less.