All five starters scored in double figures for the Lakers last night, and only Pau Gasol played more than 30 minutes. Gasol finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant had 13 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.
The biggest stat of the game for the Lakers is the fact that they held the Cavaliers to just 57 points, the fewest they have allowed since the start of the shot clock era. The Cavaliers starting five combined for just 23 points, and the Lakers held Cleveland to just under 30% from the field.
The Warriors can't be happy with what they saw from the Lakers last night. Los Angeles has already beat the Warriors by 24 and 28 points this season, and Golden State could possibly be without leading scorer Monta Ellis, who is battling the flu.
Ellis is being listed as a game-time decision, but head coach Keith Smart believes he will be able to play. Even if Ellis plays, you have to wonder how much energy he will have to offer his team. Ellis is averaging just over 25 points a game this season, and without him on the floor, it's hard to imagine the Warriors have much of a shot in this one.
Even with Ellis, the Warriors weren't much of a threat to the Lakers in the two games this season. Golden State is averaging just 88 points against Los Angeles this season, well below their season average of 101.7.
The Warriors have also struggled to stop eit...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
