The Golden State Warriors are facing a daunting task in their NBA Playoffs second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, as they trail 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Despite a valiant effort in Game 4, which they lost 104-101, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins believes that the Warriors’ title defense is officially over.
“Zero. They’re done,” Perkins said. “I say that with the utmost confidence in the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James. … They shut them down. They were on their behinds like Apple Bottom Pants,” he added.
Perkins praised the Lakers’ championship-caliber defense, which held the Warriors to just 17 points in the fourth quarter of Game 4. “When I look at the Los Angeles Lakers, they have been consistently, since the second part of the season, all to this point in the playoffs, the best defensive team in the league,” Perkins continued.
I give the Warriors a ZERO Chance of coming back in this Series. The Lakers are on their behinds like a pair of Apple Botton Pants!!! Carry the hell on… pic.twitter.com/IE8Vq59qqZ
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 9, 2023
Although Warriors fans may find Perkins’ assessment harsh, it is hard to deny the Lakers’ dominance in the series so far. The Warriors will need to win three straight games against a talented Lakers team led by LeBron James, which will be a significant challenge.
The Lakers’ defense has been a key factor in their success, and Perkins believes that they are worthy title contenders. “We gotta give credit where credit is due when we talking about playing defense at its highest level,” Perkins said.
The Lakers will look to close out the series in Game 5, while the Warriors will try to keep their title hopes alive. Despite the odds being against them, the Warriors have shown resilience in the past and could still mount a comeback. However, it will require a herculean effort from Steph Curry and his teammates to turn the tide in their favor.
LeBron James Leads Lakers’ Fourth-Quarter Attack on Warriors
The Los Angeles Lakers were able to secure a crucial 104-101 win over the Golden State Warriors in the most important game of the season. The Lakers seemingly had a clear plan, which was to attack Stephen Curry, and it worked out well for them in the fourth quarter.
LeBron James, Lonnie Walker IV, and Austin Reaves took turns handling the ball, setting screens, and hunting Curry down the stretch of the game. The Lakers were able to get baskets or draw fouls when they needed to, and LeBron believes the strategy was successful.
Walker emerged as the biggest story of the night after scoring all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, with many coming while Curry defended him. But LeBron was also in attack mode and the Lakers knocked down all their free throws.
James reminded everyone that the Warriors were employing a similar strategy as well. “But listen, they were doing the same thing to us,” he said. “That’s what the postseason is about.”
In the end, defense was the key factor, and the Lakers were just a little better when it mattered most in the fourth quarter. With this win, the Lakers are now just one win away from the Western Conference Finals.
