By Tim Byrnes
Warriors at Lakers
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***The first game of the season had me missing LeBron James…NOT! Younger, quicker, and willing to hustle on defense, this season’s Lakers look great, and they demolished the Golden State Warriors in the largest season-opening win since 1972.
***The mobility of new Lakers center Walker Kessler was immediately apparent. Getting open for feed after feed early. The 7-2 Center was a perfect 7-for-7 in the first half, with 14 points and five boards.
***Steph Curry scored 16 of Golden State’s first 21 points. He cooled off after that, missing four straight 3-pointers at one point, and finished with 23.
***Both teams shot over 60% from the field in the high-scoring first quarter, with the Lakers leading 34-33.
***The Lakers shot 63% in the first half to take a 66-52 halftime lead, with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and four assists from Luka Doncic. Doncic was 4-for-6 from the 3-point range, including a 50-foot half-court shot at the buzzer.
***Doncic looks considerably thinner, with a much faster first step, and appears even more aggressive than last season.
***Ten of Kessler’s twelve field goals were dunks, and after three quarters the Lakers led 102-68 while shooting 62%, with Kessler at 22 points.
***Jake LaRavia rolled his ankle with the Lakers up by 33 with a little over five minutes to play.
***Doncic finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Kessler totaled 26, 9 boards, and 2 blocks on 12-for-12 shooting. Austin Reaves added 23.
***The 127-105 win was only the Lakers’ second home opening win in the last decade.
