NBA Playoffs 2023: All the action from game 4 of Golden State Warriors v LA Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are one win away from an upset series victory over the Golden State Warriors after guard Lonnie Walker piled 15 points in the fourth quarter to get them home.
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‘We’re a resilient bunch’
With those words ringing in our ears from the legendary LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers are one win away from the Western Conference Finals after a thrilling 104-101 comeback victory over the Golden State Warriors in a Game 4 classic.
Steph Curry had a triple-double for the Warriors, but it didn’t matter as the NBA’s best fourth quarter team went on a stunning scoring surge.
The Lakers trailled by 11 points midway through the third quarter, but refused to give in and stormed home.
The Warriors had a chance to level the scores in the final seconds, but a Draymond Green brain explosion cost the men from the Bay Arena.
Green threw a wayward pass to no one - opening the door for the Lakers to hold on.
James top scored for Los Angeles with 27 points while he added nine rebounds and six assists.
The ‘King’ was magnificant for the Lakers, but it was an underrated bench weapon who proved the difference for the Lakers.
Guard Lonnie Walker had 15 points, including six of nine from the field.
James praised Walker’s performance post-game, hailing the win the “Lonnie Walker game”.
Big man Anthony Davis finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds, but he struggled in the second half.
Thankfully for Los Angeles it didn’t matter, as the men in purple and gold remained calm and executed when it mattered most.
The Lakers now lead the series 3-1 - and history suggests they will be extremely difficult to beat from here.
Only 13 teams have overcome 3-1 deficits in the playoffs – including just one in the NBA Finals.
Ironically, this came in 2016 when LeBron James’ Clevaland Cavaliers defied the odds to beat Curry’s Warriors in a seven-game series boilover.
Eight years on, Golden State will be hoping LeBron doesn’t cause them more pain, this time in a Lakers uniform.
2.35pm: LAKERS WIN 104-101
The Los Angeles Lakers have defied a Steph Curry triple-double to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Warriors.
Curry finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds and a whopping 14 assists, but it wasn’t enough for the Warriors to get the job done.
Fellow sharpshooter Klay Thompson struggled, scoring just nine points, including a subpar three of eleven from the field.
2.07pm: WARRIORS 92-90
CURRY DROPS TRIPLE-DOUBLE
Steph Curry continues to add his name in the record books.
Curry grabbed another rebound to take his personal tally to 27 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists.
The gun guard is putting on a passing show to have the Warriors on the cusp of victory.
2.04pm: 84-all
LEBRON THROWS BIG PUNCH
This game is something else.
LeBron keeps digging deep to inspire the Lakers and now he has helped to level the scores at the start of the fourth quarter.
It feels like this match could go either way.
Curry vs LeBron. How good.
2pm: WARRIORS 84-77
STAGE SET FOR THRILLING FOURTH
Golden State look like the better team, but Los Angeles won’t go away.
The Lakers went on a 10-2 run in the third, largely inspired by LeBron James.
The ‘King’ has 21 points, but the Warriors remain in control.
Curry has dominating with 13 assists while he needs just one reboound for a triple-double.
Bring on the fourth quarter.
1.40pm: WARRIORS 68-59
CURRY ON TRIPLE-DOUBLE WATCH
Steph Curry is a champion in every sense of the word.
Curry is literally putting the Warriors on his back in Game 4. The special guard is one rebound short of a triple double and we’ve still got seven minutes left in the third quarter.
Curry has the Warriors perfectly placed to tie this series - can he get the job done or do the Lakers have another punch in them?
1.30pm: LAKERS 59-57
DON’T FORGET ABOUT LEBRON:
Steph Curry and Anthony Davis are starring, but LeBron James is excelling in his own right.
James has exploded in the third quarter to give the Lakers the lead. This game could go either way.
Just when the Warriors look like going on a run, the Lakers respond.
Strap in, this game is going the distance.
1.02pm: WARRIORS 52-49 at HT
CURRY AND DAVIS SHOW:
Steph Curry and Anthony Davis are dominating as Game 4 is evenly matched heading into halftime.
Curry exploded in the second quarter to steer the Warriors to a slender lead at the break.
Thank god the gifted guard is firing - because Golden State look flat outside of his immense impact.
Curry inspired a 14-6 run for the Warriors to give the men from the Bay Arena the lead at halftime.
The gun guard is already stuffing the stat sheet at the break, with 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Are we about to witness another Curry masterclass with the Warriors’ backs against the wall?
It’s got that feel.
Davis is starring in his own right, finishing the half with 19 points, six rebounds and two assists.
12.50pm: 38-all in 2ND Q
LEBRON’S BIG CLASH WITH DRAYMOND
Golden State star Draymond Green breify left the court after falling on his head following an accidential collision with LeBron James.
James was cleared of any wrongdoing, but the incident left Green rattled. The Warriors forward bravely returned to the court and nailed a pretty layup to lock the scores at 38-all.
The Lakers look like the better team, but the Warriors keep finding a way in true champion style.
12.40pm: WARRIORS 29-26 - GS HIT BACK
Just when we thought the Lakers looked comfortable, the Warriors open the second quarter with eight quick points.
If Golden State can maintain this pace with a smaller line-up - and shoot well - I can see them locking this series at 2-all.
12.35pm: LAKERS 22-21 AT QT
LEBRON RESPONDS
I’m really liking the Lakers energy in the first-quarter, especially LeBron James. The ‘King’ has been criticised for his poor first-half performances in this series against Golden State.
Thankfully for the Lakers he has responded in Game 4, with six points in the first quarter.
LA needs their main man to maintain the rage.
12.30PM: LAKERS 18-16
SMALL BALL WARRIORS AS DAVIS FIRES:
Golden State possesses an all-time record when trailing 1-2 in a series, but it won’t be easy to humble Los Angeles on their home court.
The Warriors are 5-1 to respond with a win when behind 1-2 in a playoff series - however they’ll need more than history in their favour.
Anthony Davis looks locked in with six early points while Warriors decision to go small and start with Gary Payton II is working.
Golden State is trying to move Los Angeles around, especially Davis, but Los Angeles have been able to repel them to go on a 10-0 run.
12PM: LAKERS INSTALLED FAVOURITES AS WARRIORS MAKE KEY MOVE
Who would have thought it – LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers are favourites with the bookmakers to beat the Golden State Warriors in this Western Conference semi-final series.
The Warriors were heavily backed to defeat the Lakers, but the odds have flipped following LA’s two victories to lead the series 2-1.
Heading into Game 4 today, Los Angeles is $1.73 favourites to defeat Golden State ($2.15).
As for the series winner, the Lakers are $1.50 favourites over the Warriors at $2.60.
It comes as the Warriors have made a key change to its starting five for today’s Game 4 against the Lakers.
Guard Gary Payton II has been elevated to the starting side as the Warriors look to surge out of the blocks.
Could Payton be the x-factor that Golden State needs to level the series against Los Angeles?
10.50AM: JOKER AVOIDS SUSPENSION FOR PUSHING SUNS OWNER
Denver Nuggets fans you can breathe a sigh of relief.
Nuggets superstar centre Nikola Jokic will be available for Wednesday’s crucial Game 5 clash against the Phoenix Suns after avoiding a suspension for pushing the Phoenix Suns owner.
Jokic has been fined $25,000 for making improper contact with Suns boss Mat Ishbia, who was sitting courtside when the game ball bounced into his hands.
The Nuggets big man made contact with Ishbia in an attempt to take the game ball away and immediately after when the ball flew further back into the crowd.
The incident, for which Jokic received a technical foul, occurred with 2:36 remaining in the second quarter of the Nuggets’ 129-124 loss to the Suns in Game 4 of their conference semifinals playoff series.
Denver led the series 2-0, but Phoenix has responded in style with two big wins at home.
Jokic will be desperate to lead his side to a 3-2 series advantage. Catch all the Game 5 action between the Nuggets and Suns from 12pm (AEST) on Wednesday.
CURRY’S ALMIGHTY LEBRON INSPIRED LAKERS CHALLENGE
Steph Curry is on track to surpass Los Angeles legend Magic Johnson in the NBA’s all-time guard rankings, but first he faces an uphill battle to help his Golden State Warriors overcome a LeBron James and Anthony Davis inspired Lakers side.
Curry’s defending champion Warriors are in a 2-1 series hole heading into Tuesday’s crucial Game 4 in Los Angeles from 12pm (AEST).
Golden State must win to avoid a 3-1 deficit – which history has shown is incredible difficult to salvage.
Only 13 teams have overcome 3-1 deficits in the playoffs – including just one in the NBA Finals.
Ironically, this came in 2016 when LeBron James’ Clevaland Cavaliers defied the odds to beat Curry’s Warriors in a seven-game series boilover.
Eight years on, Golden State will be hoping LeBron doesn’t cause them more pain, this time in a Lakers uniform.
Can the @lakers ride the hot hand in Game 2ï¸âƒ£ against the @warriors? âœï¸ @mattlogue7
— CODE Basketball (@codebballau) May 5, 2023
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On the plus side for the Warriors, Curry, Klay Thompson and co are proven champions and have surged back after trailing in series on countless occasions.
This was on show in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs when the Warriors surged back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Sacramento Kings in a seven-game series epic.
Golden State will be looking to produce similar fighting qualities to level their series against Los Angeles at 2-all heading back to the Bay Area for Game 5 on Thursday.
First, though, the Warriors must worry about beating the Lakers in Game 4.
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