The Los Angeles Lakers put on an impressive defensive show in Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors, dominating with a final score of 109-87.

The Lakers were coming off of a nail-biting win in Game 2, where they narrowly beat the Warriors in a thrilling play-in game. But in Game 3, the Lakers were a different team altogether, with a strong focus on defense and a well-rounded offensive attack.

LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 18 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Anthony Davis added 26 points and 9 rebounds. The Lakers’ defense was particularly impressive, holding the Warriors to just 38.5% shooting from the field and forcing 20 turnovers.

The Warriors struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game, with superstar Stephen Curry being held to just 3-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc and finishing with 27 points on the night. Draymond Green added 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with the Lakers’ dominant performance.

After the game, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel praised his team’s defense, calling it “the key to our success tonight.” He also credited the team’s offensive execution, particularly in the second half, for helping to put the game out of reach.

“We played really well defensively, but we also executed well offensively,” Vogel said. “We were able to get the ball to our playmakers and they were able to make things happen. It was a great team effort.”

The Lakers’ win puts them up 2-1 in the series, with Game 4 set to take place in Los Angeles. The Warriors will need to make some adjustments if they hope to stay alive in the series, particularly on the offensive end where they struggled to find consistent scoring opportunities.

Despite the loss, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr remained optimistic, pointing to his team’s resilience throughout the season as a reason to believe they can bounce back in the series.

“We’ve been through a lot this year, and we’ve always found a way to fight back,” Kerr said. “We’ll take a look at the film and make some adjustments, but I believe in this team and their ability to bounce back.”

The Lakers will look to continue their dominant defensive play and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, while the Warriors will be fighting to keep their season alive. Game 4 is sure to be another exciting matchup between two of the NBA’s most storied franchises.