As the Golden State Warriors struggled to a 127-97 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday in the 2023 NBA playoffs, Steve Kerr does not want to see it happen again.
“You got to be more poised than we were,” Kerr told reporters after Game 3. “… It’s easier in a regular season to respond to a tough stretch. Everything is magnified in the playoffs. So a tough stretch can turn into a longer stretch … we let our foot off the gas, and the Lakers took advantage of that.”
In the first quarter, the Warriors led 30-23 but still had a lot of game to play. During the second quarter, Golden State increased its lead to 11 points at 7:53 before the Lakers scored 30-8 for the remainder of the half.
“We had things rolling in the first half,” Golden State star Stephen Curry said. “As soon as the game turned, we played right into their hands. I’m not really worried about the adjustments, more so just connecting the game.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Golden State Warriors & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In the past, the Warriors may have turned things around at halftime. The third quarter is usually when Golden State dominates. Within four minutes of the half, the Lakers went up by 17, further pushing their lead.
The Lakers now lead the Warriors 2-1 in the series entering Monday’s Game 4. If Golden State is unable to achieve a win, the team will fall down 3-1 heading back to Chase Center. However, achieving a victory would generate some major momentum by tying the series 2-2.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Golden State Warriors & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Curry may need to carry the Warriors in a big game again as he did when he scored 50 in Game 7 of the first-round series against the Sacramento Kings.
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