USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Andre Drummond (2) holds back Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) after he and Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) exchange words in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Andre Drummond (2) holds back Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) after he and Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) exchange words in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers have booked their place in the playoffs. After an incredible playoff game against the Warriors, LeBron James and Anthony Davis will take the Lakers to Phoenix for the first-round series. The Lakers were poor in the first half against the Dubs, with James and Davis both playing poorly. But they came alive in the second half to get the win. It was the trash talk from the Warriors that got AD to fire ahead.
Anthony Davis found motivation after trash talking
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis spoke after their instant classic against the Golden State Warriors. He noted that he struggled greatly in the first half, as the Warriors clamped down on him defensively. However, it was the trash-talking from Warriors star Jordan Poole that got him back. He said that the trash talk woke him up and motivated him to get better. He said, “You never want to poke the bear. I told Jordan Poole that too… I told him ‘you woke me up.'”
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AD, on the trash talk between the Lakers and Warriors in this game.
"You never want to poke the bear. I told Jordan Poole that too… I told him 'you woke me up.'"
Says the trash talk made the game fun, as did the presence of fans.
— We Believe Faigen (@hmfaigen) May 20, 2021
Davis had a much better performance in the second half. He ended the game with 25 points and 12 rebounds, along with some crucial blocks and steals. James also had a solid performance in the second half, putting up a 22-point triple-double and an incredible game-winning three. James and AD need to improve significantly moving forward, as their play is crucial to the playoff success of the Los Angeles Lakers.
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AD looking to find his form
Anthony Davis has struggled this entire season. He started this season poorly, looking sluggish thanks to the short turnover period for the Lakers between the Finals and the new season. And by February, Davis got hurt and was sidelined for most of the season. After his return, he looked a lot better, but he was still not at the level he was playing at for the past few seasons. The Lakers will hope that AD will find his form as the playoffs go on.
USA Today via Reuters
May 19, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) goes up for a dunk past Golden State Warriors forward Kent Bazemore (26) in the second half the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
READ MORE: Lakers’ LeBron James Closes to a Century in a Rare Clutch Time Stat
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Can Anthony Davis and the Lakers reach the NBA Finals again this season? They will have a tough road ahead, as they will play some tough teams en route to the Finals. The Lakers will have to beat the Suns, the Blazers/Nuggets, and Clippers/Jazz/Warriors/Memphis/Mavericks just to be able to reach the Finals. But if AD and LeBron are at their best, they will feel confident about their chances.
