The 4-1 Lakers bring a top-three power-index ranking into Golden State, where Curry’s scoring and the Warriors’ defense face a sharp early test.
Golden State gets an early-season test Friday: the 2-3 Warriors host a 4-1 Lakers team ranked No. 3 in the power index, compared with Golden State at No. 19. Los Angeles is averaging 123.2 points per game and allowing 113.6, while the Warriors score 117.6 and give up 119.4. Luka Doncic has 144 points and 33 assists in four games; Stephen Curry has 115 points in four, making his shot-making a key counter to Doncic’s creation. Walker Kessler’s 12 blocks and 41 rebounds in five games give the Lakers an interior edge to press, while Golden State must contain Doncic without letting the Lakers’ offense pull away.