LOS ANGELES, CA - For the third time in as many seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors in improbable fashion. Lou Williams led the home team with 20 points off the bench on a night Stephen Curry could not hit a three-pointer, which ended an NBA record streak of 157 games with at least one made long-range bomb.
Stephen Curry's incredible streak of 157 straight games with a three-pointer made, the longest in #NBA history, has come to an end. pic.twitter.com/aVHXike2iZ — NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2016
The Lakers took an 8-0 lead to start the game, as the Warriors came out sloppy and cold. When Golden State scored the next six points, though, the expectation was that the defending Western Conference champions would storm past the young home team that finished bottom of the same conference a season ago.
Only, the Lakers didn't seem interested in that narrative.
Despite missing nine of their 10 three-point attempts in the opening quarter, the Lakers led by nine points after 12 minutes. Helping LA, the Warriors missed seven of their eight long-range attempts and recklessly turned the ball over eight times in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Lakers built on their fast start, as the Warriors continued to flounder from distance and missed eight of nine three-point attempts during the period.
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At halftime, the "Splash Brothers," Klay Thompson and Curry, had each missed all six of their three-point attempts. The "Splash Brothers" shooting 0/12 on three-points in a half and missing wide open shots in many instances seemed a sure sign that this would not be the Warriors' night. Taking advantage of the Warriors' cold front, the Lakers led by as many as 19 points in the second quarter with a balanced scoring attack. Nineteen of the Lakers' 25 converted field goal attempts came on assisted baskets prior to the intermission.
In the third period, the Lakers led by as many as 21 points and also saw their advantage depleted to only six points. While Curry and Thompson struggled, Kevin Durant scored 14 points in the third quarter. But Durant could not do enough to beat the Lakers' team by himself. The 2014 NBA MVP eventually finished with 27 points on 10/16 shooting in the losing effort.
Despite the ups and downs, LA finished the third quarter holding a double-digit lead and only 12 minutes away from the Lakers' biggest win since Luke Walton took over as coach.
In the fourth quarter, the Lakers reestablished dominance and Curry failed to find his shooting boots. Curry eventually exited the game with his team down 18 points, after missing all 10 of his three-point attempts on the night.
The Lakers ultimately won by 20 points, 117-97, as Williams displayed composure late in the contest to secure the victory. Overall, the Lakers earned contributions across the board, and the balance in the team stood out to the winning coach.
"Twenty-six assists," Lakers coach Luke Walton said after the game. "52-40 on the glass. It means that we're sharing the ball, we're playing like a team and we're fighting. That's a great team we played against and to beat them on the glass like that and to have that many assists means we're playing the right way."
For the Los Angeles Lakers, playing the right way means winning. On Friday night, the Lakers won. Also, everyone got tacos.
Notes: Julius Randle scored 20 points and pulled down 14 rebounds on the night. Six different Lakers scored in double figures, and Larry Nance Jr. pulled down nine rebounds and put down one of the most impressive dunks of the night. LA is 2-0 at home and next plays the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at Staples Center.
