In Los Angeles In Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 104-101, establishing a 3-1 series lead.
Steph Curry missed two jump shots in the final 26.1 seconds, but the Lakers maintained control of the game after coming back from a 12-point hole in the third quarter.
LeBron James led the Lakers, who are now one victory away from taking the best-of-seven series, with 27 points and 9 rebounds. In addition to Lonnie Walker IV of the Lakers, Anthony Davis contributed 23 points and 15 rebounds. Walker IV scored all of his 15 points in the fourth quarter on 6-for-9 shooting.
For the Warriors, Curry produced a triple-double with 31 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds. But his floor shooting was terrible, going 12-for-30. In addition, he made an important error with 1.5 seconds left by catching a jump ball and flinging it out of bounds.
With 3:01 remaining, Klay Thompson’s 3-pointer gave the Warriors a 99-96 advantage. James and Walker both scored four points in the final 2 1/2 minutes as the Lakers went on an 8-2 run to win the game.
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Walker scored 15 of the Lakers’ 27 points in the fourth quarter thanks to an incredible performance.
The Lakers will have the opportunity to secure a position in the Western Conference finals in Game 5 on Wednesday in San Francisco.
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Battle of the wits
Nine lead changes and four ties occurred throughout the flurry of surges and bursts that made up the first half.
James and Davis both scored six points in the opening frame, which saw the Lakers take the lead 22-21. But Curry, who had just three points in the first frame, as well as the Warriors, got hot.
Curry gave the Warriors a boost in the second quarter with 13 points and a few slick passes. However, Davis’ 19 points in the first half prevented the Lakers from falling too far behind.
Golden State was in the lead at the half, 52-49.
Third-quarter play was even more frantic. James’ 3-point play with 1:57 remaining in the third quarter helped the Lakers close the gap to 79-75 after the Warriors had taken a 12-point lead.
The Warriors rallied in response, and their run gave them an advantage of 84-77 at the end of the period.
