Here is what you need to know before the Lakers try to hand Golden State its first loss of the year.
1)
The Lakers have a long record of making history, but now they are trying to get in the way of it. A win over L.A. would give Golden State a 16-0 record — the NBA’s best-ever start.
2)
D’Angelo Russell has become more involved with the offense as of late, scoring at least 13 points in each of his last three games. During this stretch, he has averaged 14.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists, while also shooting 41.0 percent and knocking down 2.0 3-pointers.
3)
The Warriors’ perfect record is even more impressive considering how thoroughly they have beaten their opponents. Golden State is outscoring its foes by 14.4 points per game, and 10 of its 15 wins have been by double digits.
4)
The number of Golden State’s routs isn’t surprising considering how powerful its offense has been. The Warriors lead the NBA in points (114.5), assists (29.4), field goal percentage (48.7), 3-point percentage (41.6) and made 3’s (12.5). If they maintain their current pace, they will be the league’s highest scoring team since the Warriors themselves averaged 118.7 points 24 years ago.
5)
Unsurprisingly, much of this has to do with reigning MVP Stephen Curry, who leads the NBA in scoring (32.7 ppg). Like his team, Curry has been dangerous in a wide array of categories, as he also ranks first in 3-pointers (4.9) and scoring off screens (5.1), turnovers (6.3), fast breaks (7.6) and pull-up attempts (11.1).
Plus, he has shown more than capable with his steals and assists.
6)
Golden State’s offensive system has allowed Draymond Green to assert himself as one of the game’s most talented passers. The 6-foot-7 forward — who also plays small-ball center — ranks eighth in assists (6.6), and is the only member of the top 10 who isn’t a point guard.
7)
Thanks in part to the defensive attention drawn by Curry and backcourt mate Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala has seen a higher rate of open looks, which he has made opponents pay for. The 2015 NBA Finals MVP currently places fifth in 3-point percentage (46.5).
8)
Thompson tends to turn it up against the purple and gold. The son of Showtime Laker Mychal Thompson, Klay has averaged 21.4 points against L.A. — his second-best mark against any opponent.
9)
The Lakers haven’t had much luck in Oakland, dropping each of their last five games at Golden State. L.A. last won at Oracle Arena on Dec. 22, 2012.
10)
Manning Golden State’s sideline is a familiar face: Luke Walton. With head coach Steve Kerr out due to offseason back surgery, Walton has stepped in as the team’s interim coach. The 35-year-old played eight-plus seasons in L.A., picking up a pair of championship rings along the way.
“I used to tease (Walton) all the time,” Kobe Bryant said after Sunday’s loss to Portland. “I used to call him the next Phil (Jackson), because he was an average player with a messed-up back. … I used to rib him all the time about that, but honestly he always had a really brilliant mind (with) understanding flow and tempo, spacing, how to manage a team the right way.”
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