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Lakers center Montrezl Harrell, right, drives against Warriors center James Wiseman during the first half of Monday’s game in San Francisco. Harrell had 27 points in a 128-97 win. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, right, gets past Warriors center James Wiseman on his way to the basket during the first half of Monday’s game in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Lakers forward LeBron James soars to the basket for a dunk in front of Warriors forward Eric Paschall, left, and center James Wiseman during the first half of Monday’s game in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Lakers forward LeBron James dunks during the first half of Monday’s game against the Warriors in San Francisco. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Golden State Warriors guard Kelly Oubre Jr., left, is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers forward Alfonzo McKinnie during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Los Angeles Lakers center Damian Jones (30) dunks against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) is defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, shoots in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots and makes a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, left, drives against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, middle, as LeBron James, top, is called for a foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Lakers forward LeBron James, right, gets past Warriors center James Wiseman on his way to the basket during the first half of Monday’s game in San Francisco. James had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a 128-97 win. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) dunks in front of Golden State Warriors forward Kent Bazemore during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball up the court against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell, left, shoots against Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the ball up the court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets fouled going up for a reverse layup against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers slam dunks against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors looks to dribble past Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) watches as Golden State Warriors’ Kent Bazemore, from left, Stephen Curry (30) and Draymond Green laugh during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket to score against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a slam dunk over Kent Bazemore #26 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors shoots and scores over Wesley Matthews #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) dunks next to Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gestures toward players during the first half of his team’s NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot but was called for an offensive foul on Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, right, dunks against Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman (33) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, left, smiles next to head coach Frank Vogel during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell dribbles against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) dunks in front of Golden State Warriors forward Kent Bazemore during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes in for a layup against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors blocks the shot of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Markieff Morris #88 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors shoots and is fouled by Wesley Matthews #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers great injured teammate Anthony Davis prior to the start of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Injured Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, talks with forward LeBron James, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Injured player Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers is seen playing around with Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors after the Lakers defeated the Warriors 128-97 in an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 15, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Injured Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, left, greets Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James as Warriors guard Stephen Curry, top right, greets injured Lakers forward Anthony Davis after the Lakers defeated the Warriors in an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Monday, March 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Stationed in the middle of the paint in the third quarter, Montrezl Harrell found himself socially distanced from Golden State’s defense.
Rarely one to button his lips, he shouted at his teammates as he hopped up and down underneath the rim. It took two swing passes before LeBron James lofted a pass over Kelly Oubre to the 6-foot-7 forward for an easy dunk on a night that had plenty.
The Lakers don’t have Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol or Alex Caruso, but since coming back from the All-Star break, they haven’t needed them. The Warriors’ defense didn’t always have that much trouble keeping track of Harrell attacking the paint, but they sure didn’t have much success in a 128-97 Lakers blowout on Monday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Since their four-game slide, the Lakers (26-13) have now won four of their last six, and they’ve kept a solid hold on the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference standings, just a half-game behind the Phoenix Suns, who they’ll visit on Sunday. While Davis’ return is still at least a week-and-a-half-out and Caruso and Gasol remain uncertain for the week to come, maybe the Lakers – facing a weaker portion of their schedule – don’t need the relief right away.
The lesson James has taken away is that there are a lot of teammates he feels like he can trust come the postseason: “That you can key on anyone, that you can call for anyone on our ball club, whoever is in uniform, throughout the course of a playoff run. You know you can rely on them.”
James managed his fourth triple-double of the season without breaking a sweat in less than 31 minutes: 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. By the blowout portion of the fourth quarter, James had thrown on a gray hoodie with his feet chilling in an ice bath in a cooler.
But even his numbers didn’t quite underscore the multi-pronged attack of the Lakers, who massively outperformed their hosts in the paint (68-40) and scoring off the bench (71-41) while shooting 62.8% and logging a season-high 36 assists on 49 field goals. Their field goal percentage was the highest since a game in 2010 – when, fittingly, they beat the Warriors.
Harrell was the head of that snake, scoring a season-high 27 points on 11-for-14 shooting. All three of his misses were from 10 feet or further out; inside the paint, he owned the Warriors, who trailed by 15 points at halftime. Behind Harrell’s rim pressure, the Lakers finished 25 for 25 on their shots in the restricted area.
A newcomer who has sometimes seemed schematically siloed from what his teammates are doing on the court, Harrell has gotten more integrated to the team during the shorthanded stretch, Coach Frank Vogel said, calling him “a gamer” as a term of admiration.
“He’s a great finisher and he’s a great catcher of all types of pocket passes and extra passes that our guys are making,” Vogel said. “He catches everything and he finishes everything.”
It was a strong night from second-year guard Talen Horton-Tucker, who finished with career-bests of 18 points and 10 assists in 27 minutes, taking the place of Caruso. The Lakers also got a big boost again from Kyle Kuzma (17 points) who proved adept at finding Harrell in the dunker spot and had four assists himself.
Kuzma was most proud of the growth of Horton-Tucker, who several teammates including James said is solidifying a playoff rotation role with each passing game.
“That’s one thing that we’ve really been trying to talk to him – or, I’ve been trying to talk to him about – is once he gets into the paint,” Kuzma said. “He’s probably one of the two or three best players at penetrating the paint and he’s so gifted to look weakside, look strongside and hit guys. And he did a great job of that tonight, to have 10 assists and scoring as well.”
Familiar issues seemed afoot early, in a turnover-plagued first quarter that saw Curry loosen up for 15 points. The Lakers couldn’t outrun their own mistakes, coughing up eight first-quarter turnovers that led to 10 Golden State points in a back-and-forth start.
But without injured backcourt mate Klay Thompson, Curry has often looked like a commander without much of an army on offense. And the Lakers, for all they’re missing, still have been bolstered by their depth.
That started to take root in the second quarter as Harrell especially began to abuse Kevon Looney and James Wiseman, the overmatched Warriors centers. His relentless energy and quick steps to the rim accounted for 15 points in the second quarter alone.
The Lakers had a reasonably strong outside shooting night, going 11 for 27 from 3-point range. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3 for 4 from the arc) added 14 points. Vogel said the passing has been there, but the shooting hasn’t always followed through.
“We’ve been sharing the ball like this for some time,” he said. “We just haven’t been knocking down shots from the perimeter and I think you saw that tonight. Along with some other finishes at the rim.”
Those finishes, frankly, were impossible to miss.
@KingJames had the fadeaway ON REPEAT en route to a triple-double and a @Lakers win.
22 PTS | 10 REB | 11 AST pic.twitter.com/KLF8sJ0unT
— NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2021
“Talen, Kuz, and Trezz all had terrific nights.” Frank Vogel shares his thoughts on tonight’s win and compliments the #Lakers ball movement & scoring with @LakersReporter. pic.twitter.com/SrFn1Mb6YU
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 16, 2021
“It makes my job easier…I feel confident when I’m out there with them.” @Thortontucker with @LakersReporter on sharing the scoring load with Kuz & Trezz tonight. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/OvLWCVzsN7
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 16, 2021
“He’s a sponge. When you talk to him, you can tell it’s getting stored and he applies it on the floor. This is basically his rookie season, he’s going to learn from his mistakes and we’re okay with that.” @KingJames post-game with @LakersReporter on THT’s development. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/DqZN5qGvWv
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 16, 2021
“San Francisco had a 3.5 magnitude earthquake and I got scared and it went far left.”
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 16, 2021
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