UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
Friday night in the 2023 NBA Playoffs saw a pair of blowouts in Game 6. Few expected the Sacramento Kings to win so comfortably in Golden State, but they did it to force a Game 7. The Lakers had no problems putting away the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies to advance to the second round.
Kings Shut Down Golden State’s Home Mystique
For the first time all season, the Kings won a game as a 7-point underdog. It came at the best time possible in Game 6 as elimination was on the line in Golden State. We have seen so many big Game 6s where the Warriors end series, especially when they are at home.
Even in the third quarter with Sacramento leading 58-51 at halftime, most were just expecting the Warriors to do their usual thing and go on a run to take over the game. But it never happened, and the Kings even extended their lead to 90-80 going into the fourth.
Every time the Warriors looked like they were going to go on a run, the Kings found an answer on their way to winning 118-99. Domantas Sabonis fouled out in just 23 minutes of action, but Malik Monk was superb off the bench with 28 points. De’Aaron Fox looked healthy enough with his finger injury to score 26 points with 11 assists.
Neither team shot the ball well, but the Warriors were especially bad with 37.2% from the field and 10-of-32 (31.3%) from three. Both teams had 18 or 19 turnovers, so it was definitely a sloppy game that is unlike the execution you would expect from the Warriors at home and the NBA’s No. 1 offensive team from Sacramento.
Steph Curry finished with 29 points but was a minus-16 on the court. Jordan Poole shot 2-of-11 and even Klay Thompson, known for his Game 6 history, shot 2-of-9 from three and was a minus-28 in 35 minutes.
The pressure reverts back to Golden State, who will be slightly favored in Game 7 on Sunday in Sacramento. Remember, the Warriors are 2-18 SU as a road underdog this season, so a big road win is something they must deliver to get past the first round.
Lakers Send Grizzlies Packing with 40-Point Win
Little went right for Memphis in this series after Dillon Brooks had to run his mouth about LeBron James after Game 2. The Lakers had their star’s back, and he stepped up with a much better Game 6 with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. After going 3-for-28 from three in the previous four games, James was 2-of-5 from three in this game.
But it was a banner night for D’Angelo Russell, who scored 31 points on 12-of-17 shooting (5-of-9 from three). Anthony Davis was effective with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and another 5 blocks. Even Austin Reaves, the Game 1 hero, had 8 assists in a full team effort for the Lakers.
The Lakers won every quarter by at least 6 points on their way to winning 125-85. It was the first time all season Memphis scored under 90 points, and the first time in this series the Grizzlies were under 100 points.
Memphis shot an abysmal 30.2% from the field. You know things are bad when Ja Morant scores 10 points in just under 34 minutes of action. The Grizzlies were led in scoring by Santi Aldama (16 points).
The Lakers advance to face the winner of the Kings-Warriors series on Sunday. Memphis has lost in the first round for the second time in the last three years under coach Taylor Jenkins.
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!
