Davis ‘step up’ as the Lakers down the Warriors in epic game One.

In a matchup that will undoubtedly bring into question his reliability on both ends of the floor, Anthony Davis delivered perhaps the most important of his NBA career so far. In the opening 24 minutes, the Lakers star had already posted a double-double which ultimately led the Lakers to a 117-112 game that went all the way down to the final buzzer.

With four blocks and 23 rebounds, Davis was as dominant as the Lakers needed him to be in order to fend off the number one offensive team in these playoffs. Davis’s alertness and awareness on the glass also helped stave off Warriors’ Kevon Looney’s threat, who was a one-man rebounding machine of the first round.

 Davis’s versatility on the court ensured that Looney had to work all night, on Pick and Roll as well as defending high in the perimeter to contest shots, which took him out of his comfort zone and ultimately helped the much bigger Lakers win inside shots and opportunity.

Lebron James recorded a double-double as well, recording 22 points and 11 rebounds in the Laker’s effort while they were supported off the bench by Dennis Schroder, who had 19 points in 32 minutes.

Steph Curry scored a 27-footer 3-point shot off a James’ turnover late in the fourth to tie the game at 112-112 before DiAngelo Russell answered with a layup and Davis responded with a block on Curry before Jordan Poole committed a foul that ultimately sealed the game for the Lakers at that point. Curry finished with 27 points in a losing effort who was supported by Kevon Looney with another double-double of 10 points and 23 rebounds and Klay Thompson who added 25 points.

Game 2 kicks off on Thursday at 9pm at the Chase Center.

(Jafar Gibbons)