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The Golden State Warriors were searching for their 17th straight victory in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League, but the Los Angeles Lakers had other plans. Four quarters wasn’t enough to decide a winner, but both teams saved their best for last. The final game of the day turned out to be the most exciting of the bunch and after the Lakers went up big in the third quarter, the Warriors were able to make it a game. The Warriors were close to pulling this one off, but Justin Holiday jumper in the final seconds wasn’t enough to get them the victory.
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1st Quarter
From the start of the game, the Warriors were very sloppy. It began with a few turnovers and they couldn’t buy a bucket. They kept playing recklessly while the Lakers started off on a 7-0 run. Justin Holiday finally broke the streak by nailing a contested three. James Michael McAdoo got three points of his own as he gets bucket plus the foul. As the quarter began to wind down, the game started to pick up. The Warriors took care of the ball a little bit better and were able to cut the lead to one. The quarter ended as it began, with a turnover. Holiday led all scorers with six points and McAdoo chipped in with five. At the end of the first; the score was 20-17, Lakers up.
2nd Quarter
Both teams came out flat to start the second. Justin Holiday was clearly the best player on the court. He got to loose balls and he had single handedly kept this game close. It seemed like both teams needed the first few minutes of each quarter to warm up. The pace of the game has definitely sped up. Julius Randle began giving the Warriors problems inside as he showed his strength in the paint. While both teams began to score the rock, the Lakers were having more success offensively. Jordan Clarkson was hitting some outside jumpers for the Lakers and those got the Lakers up late. Things started to get out of hand and the referees seemed to be calling everything in the Lakers favor. Coach Kerr wasn’t pleased and received a technical foul. The Lakers had a nine point advantage, but Coach Kerr called a timeout with 6.9 seconds left to draw up a play. Nedovic found Holiday as he was able to knock down a three pointer at the buzzard.
3rd Quarter
Randle started off the third with an impressive three point play. Warriors once again find themselves in a hole down by 11 early on. The Lakers seemed to have their minds set on ending the Warriors’ winning streak. They were just quicker to the ball and were hitting their open shots. The Warriors didn’t look hungry and Holiday was the only player showing some effectiveness. Craft continues to impress with his ability to drive to the hole. The Lakers are clearly beating the Warriors on the board. In order for them to win this game, they needed to show a better effort. The Warriors woke up in the later part of the quarter with a spark from Orlando Johnson. Craft has shown no fear attacking the basket and fans have to love that. Warriors cut the lead again to 70-64. At this point, Holiday continues to lead all scorers with 20. Johnson has 11 and Craft with 7.
4th Quarter
Craft started the quarter for the Warriors by knocking down a three pointer. The Warriors have turned it up a notch here in the final quarter. Midway through the quarter the Warriors have managed to make this a game. They are only down four and in perfect striking distance to make a comeback. With a corner three, Craft cuts the lead to one. Holiday continues the Warriors’ success with a clutch shot. The Warriors were able to take a one point lead with McAdoo free throws after a crazy shot from Kendall Marshall. Turnovers from both teams and the score remains at 84 a piece. The traditional four quarters weren’t enough, we needed OT.
OVERTIME
It’s a short overtime as Summer League rules only permit 2 minute overtime periods. Justin Holiday puts the Warriors up by two with a long jumper. Randle almost brought the house down with a thunderous slam, but he was fouled. Of the two free throws, Randle only converts one. Warriors don’t get a shot up as Nedovic gets stripped by Kendall Marshall. The Lakers receive the ball with 16.3 left in overtime. On the other end, Marshall gets fouled and sinks both his free throws to put the Lakers back up one. Craft hits Holiday with the go-ahead jumper with 6.1 seconds to go. The Lakers are out of timeouts but the referees pause the game to sort out the confusion. This worked in their favor as the Lakers were able to inbound it and get it to Randle. He attacked recklessly and missed a baseline drive. Lucky for the Lakers, Clarkson was there to rebound and tip it back in at 0.4 second mark as time expires.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB8pa2TTT_0
Uh oh, looks like Nedovic may have lost his spot to Aaron Craft. Craft played the entire 4th qt and overtime while Nedovic road pine