Lakers coast past the Suns in Game 3 behind an electric Staples Center crowd.
For the first time since 2013, the Lakers hosted a playoff game at Staples Center in front of 7,500 fans, bringing the electricity from tip-off giving the Lakers a loud playoff crowd all game. The Lakers were able to beat the Suns in Game 3 tonight, beating Phoenix 109–95, taking a 2–1 series lead. It has been 2,952 days since the Lakers have held a playoff game at Staples Center and tonight the Lakers brought it for this home crowd, with the team feeding off the energy of the fans, bringing the electricity throughout Staples Center all night. After the game, LeBron James spoke on the energy the Lakers crowd brought tonight saying:
“It’s always special to play in front of the Laker faithful. It’s a special night, and we just tried to reward our fans.”
In Games 1 and 2, Suns star Devin Booker scored over 30 points in both games making him a huge concern in the Lakers’ defensive strategy. Tonight the Lakers were able to gameplan well around Booker, making shots difficult all night for the all-star, as he finished with 19 points on 6 of 19 (31.5%) shooting overall. The biggest defensive takeaway from the Lakers in Game 3 is the scheme moving forward in the series defending Deandre Ayton, as he looked unstoppable in the paint most of the night, rarely missing any shot he took inside the paint. In 41 minutes, Ayton finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds on 11 of 22 (50%) shooting in the paint.
After coming off a 34 point performance in Game 2 win, Anthony Davis continued his stellar work with a stellar performance in tonight’s win, imposing his dominance on both ends of the court. In a Lakers high 40 minutes, Davis ended the night with a game-high 34 points for the second game in a row, finishing 11 for 22 (50%) from the field, while also adding 11 rebounds in the win. LeBron spoke on Davis’ performance tonight saying:
“Aggressive. Looking for his shot. Getting into the paint. Starts with him, when he’s aggressive, we’re all aggressive.”
Despite finishing 25% from the three, going 26 for 30, the Lakers were still able to come out with a huge victory dominating in the paint and forcing their way to the free-throw line. The Lakers scored 58 points in the paint tonight and attempted 30 shots from the foul-line going 26 for 30 (86.7%).
In the 3rd quarter of tonight’s Game 3, LeBron James erupted for this Lakers team, bringing the energy for the entire second half after having a passive and quiet first half. After finishing with only 5 points in the entire first half, James erupted for 16 points in the second half, scoring 10 points in the third quarter. In 37 minutes of action, James finished with 21 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds on 9 of 19 (47.3%) shooting from the field goal. James brought a huge spark of energy in the 4th quarter as he isolated himself in the post against Suns Jae Crowder, putting him in a spin cycle and making him frustrated. After tonight’s win, head coach Frank Vogel talked to the media about the energy [LeBron] James brought to the team, specifically in the 3rd quarter, saying:
“He changed the whole game. His mindset just reversed the whole course of tonight’s game, wanting to get to the rim. He was dominant during that stretch.”
The biggest impact this Lakers team has had as of late in this series is point guard Dennis Schröder. Schröder has been the Lakers’ difference-maker outside of the all-star tandem of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with the team needing a consistent 3rd option heading into the playoffs. Tonight, Schröder was a huge difference-maker, scoring 20 points on 6 of 11 (54.5%) total shooting, including 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in tonight’s win. Schröder spoke on how many steps forward the Lakers have taken in this series.
“The first game we played terrible. The second game we did a good job on the defensive end. Today we were better than Game 2 in Phoenix.”
Arguably one of the most questioned players on the team coming into the playoffs was the longest tenured Laker Kyle Kuzma, who has had a roller coaster up and down season, having high and low performances all year. In tonight’s Game 3 win, Kuzma impacted the game in an area he has been consistent at all season, the glass, grabbing 10 rebounds on the night.
With tonight’s win and a 2–1 series lead, the Lakers put themselves in a nice position, moving forward in the series as they go into the next game at home on Saturday with a lot of confidence from tonight’s victory. Look for the Suns to redeem themselves this Saturday with their backs against the wall trying to avoid a possible 3–1 series deficit.