LeBron James and Steph Curry meet in the NBA playoffs once again.
Perhaps for the last time.
Either way, this Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors Western Conference semifinals matchup should be appreciated for the sustained excellence of James and Curry and their ability to compete at an elite level – James at 38 and Curry at 35.
This is their first non-Finals playoff meeting with Curry holding a 15-7 edge over James in their four head-to-head Finals meetings, including three titles to James’ one.
But both have four championships.
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One will have a chance to play for their fifth.
Let’s take a look at the questions that will decide the series:
Who’s going to slow Steph Curry?
When the Warriors needed a victory, they relied on Curry. In Golden State’s four victories, he scored 36, 32, 31 and 50 points − the latter setting an NBA record for most points in a Game 7.
He remains in supreme condition, running all over the court to get free for shots. He also uses pick-and-rolls and finishes inside the paint with a soft touch on floaters and layups.
In the regular-season meetings, the Lakers used multiple defenders with varying speed and size: Dennis Schroder, Austin Reaves, Malik Beasley and Troy Brown Jr. Jarred Vanderbilt also will get his chances.
The goal is to make it difficult because Curry, who played in just two of the four regular-season games against the Lakers, will get his points. A lot of times, it doesn’t matter how well he is defended. An opponent just hopes he’s not going to get his points on an efficient 13-for-22 shooting.
Can LeBron James carry the Lakers?
James is still capable of dominating a game. He did that with 22 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in the Lakers’ Game 4 victory against Memphis. And sometimes, he just needs to take over in stretches.
But James’ stamina will be watched closely. A few times in the postseason, James has appeared fatigued, or “gassed,” as Golden State’s Draymond Green said of James after a play-in game.
Because the Golden State-Sacramento series went seven games, Lakers-Warriors games are scheduled every other day. Travel shouldn’t be an issue, but that’s a lot of high-intensity basketball over two weeks.
Against Memphis, James was an efficient shooter inside the 3-point line against the Grizzlies but just 8-for-41 on 3s. A better offensive performance is required from James if the Lakers want to win this series. It’s not all on James, but without him at or close to his season averages in points, rebounds, assists and shooting percentage, the Lakers will be in a tough spot.
It may seem foolish to question James in this series, but he will log considerable minutes.
Can Anthony Davis be a consistent scorer?
Davis was a rebounding and defensive force against Memphis, averaging 13.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks. But his offense was up and down ‒ two 31-point performances and 22 points in another game, but he was also 4-for-14 with 13 points and 4-for-13 with 12 points in two games.
Against the Warriors, the Lakers can’t afford Davis to have those off nights offensively. In fairness, Davis was matched up against Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr.
Warriors center Kevon Looney was an anchor defensively in the Kings series and did a tremendous job on Domantas Sabonis.
Davis has more offensive skills and maximizing them is necessary for the Lakers.
What role players can make a difference?
In every series, role players make contributions that sway the outcome, and this matchup is full of capable players.
Golden State: Jordan Poole, Green, Andrew Wiggins and Looney. Poole is capable of high-scoring games and big shots. Green brings defense and can facilitate offensively, Wiggins is solid on both ends and Looney’s contributions may be unheralded but lead to wins.
Los Angeles: D’Angelo Russell, Reaves, Schroder, Rui Hachimura. Russell’s scoring is important as is Reaves’ playmaking on both ends. Both will need to hit 3s. Schroder is a defensive irritant, and Hachimura showed flashes of his offensive capabilities against Memphis.
What can the Warriors expect from Klay Thompson?
Thompson had a solid regular season at 21.9 points per game and 301 made 3-pointers.
But his 3-point shooting dipped against the Kings ‒ just 26-for-73 (35.6%), including 4-for-19 in the final two games. The more the Warriors get offensively from Thompson, the less pressure there is on Curry.
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt
