NBA: Lakers romp to victory over Warriors in pre-season clash

The Los Angeles Lakers rose to victory as they triumphed over the Golden State Warriors in a pre-season game at the Staples Center on Monday night. All the talk before the game was surrounding Lakers' star Anthony Davis. Davis missed the game on Monday night, owing to a sprain in his right thumb. The towering American is set to miss all of the team's upcoming pre-season games. The former New Orleans Pelicans star was traded to the Lakers in the 2019 NBA Draft and was spotted with an ice pack taped to his hand after the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets in China.

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After playing two games in China as part of the NBA's effort to capitalise on the Chinese market, the Lakers returned back home to face the Warriors in the first of the three pre-season games scheduled against the Warriors. The Lakers had previously emerged victorious in their earlier match-up against the Warriors. With LeBron James and Davis in the line-up, the Lakers romped to a 123-101 win over the Warriors earlier this month. However, the pre-season match-up at the Staples Center on Monday night saw the Lakers play without both their star men. While Davis missed out on the game through injury, LeBron was rested for this game. 

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Lakers' strength in depth

The Warriors also opted to rest a couple of their players this time around. Draymond Green and D'Angelo Russell, who both played the Warriors' previous game against the Lakers were rested this time around. Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee stepped up for the Lakers in their 123-101 win on Monday night. Howard, who signed a one-year contract with the Lakers after the ACL injury to DeMarcus Cousins, particularly impressed as he racked up 12 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, four steals and one block during the game. McGee wasn't too far behind, as the Michigan-born two-time NBA champion racked up 11 points, five rebounds, one assist and three blocks during the game. Steph Curry tried his best to keep the Warriors' in the game, with 17 points and three assists, but the Lakers' centre proved to be a little too much for the Warriors this time around. With LeBron and Davis to come back to the team, the Lakers' squad looks scary this season, especially considering their strength in depth. 

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