Tuesday night in Southern California, the Golden State Warriors upset the Los Angeles Lakers 134-120. The Dubs’ season record presently stands at 44-35, and they are only one half-game behind the Lakers for the ninth spot in the Western Conference. They currently control the tie-break as well between the two teams.

 The team with the better seed gets to host the game on their home court, even though the Lakers and Warriors will most likely play each other in the play-in round.

 

The Lakers’ standout center Anthony Davis was ruled out of the game ahead of time, giving the Dubs an easier route to victory despite the high stakes for both teams. Following their defeat by a Mavericks team without Luka Dončić the previous week, they might have been doubly motivated to seize this excellent chance to win.

 

They really didn’t wait to strike. Draymond Green appears to detect blood in the water faster than anyone else on the Warriors roster. With five three-pointers made in the first half, Green scored 15 points in the half while going on a rampage. He had 15 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds at the end of the game.

 

However, Green was not left as the only sharpshooter by the rest of the Warriors. Steph Curry had one of his most productive games ever, going 6-for-6 from three-point range and 7-for-9 from the field to finish with 23 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. With 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field, including 5-for-10 from three, Klay Thompson led the Dubs. Gary Payton II, Andrew Wiggins, and Brandin Podziemski were 8 of 11 from beyond the arc and each made at least 65% of their three-point tries.

 

Golden State led 71-60 at the half after making more than 60% of their three-point shots in the first half. Undoubtedly a comfortable advantage, but far from the blowout you would anticipate from shooting so well. Had they regressed in the second things could have played out a lot differently.

Leading the Lakers with 34 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds was LeBron James. After halftime, the Lakers managed to score a few baskets to reduce their margin to only five points. But the Warriors always had another big shot to stem the flow when things were getting tight.

The Warriors ultimately shot 26 for 41 (63.4%) from three-point range to win the game. It’s nearly impossible to lose an NBA game when any team shoots that well.

In control of the tie-breaker, the Warriors control their own destiny (at least with regards to usurping the Lakers for the nine-seed). With a postseason home game at their fingertips, the Warriors will have one day off before they face the Trail Blazers in Portland on Thursday.