LOS ANGELES — The Warriors put together a veteran-laden roster in the offseason at a slight expense: They lack size.
It’s a familiar shortcoming Golden State typically overcomes with pace and high IQ, but it becomes an issue against seven-footer Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers on both ends of the floor, especially with Draymond Green out due to injury.
All that length mucked up the Warriors’ ball movement and Golden State’s road woes from last year seeped into their performance on Friday. But the Warriors won out a battle between the two teams’ bench squads in a tight 129-125 win on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. Trayce Jackson-Davis’ block in the final seconds of the game, initially called a foul then overturned, helped secure the win.
Jonathan Kuminga looks to be gaining confidence on the offensive end. He led the team again in points with 26 and didn’t hesitate to take the open 3-pointers — he went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.
Though they were competitive on the boards, defensively they struggled to contain Austin Reaves and saw Taurean prince get hot from 3-point land. The starting five of Paul, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney had the leash to play into the 20-minute range.
The starters’ highlight play came early on when Curry passed out of trouble to Paul at the top of the arc, who found a relocating Curry on the wing for a 3-pointer. A good indication that the two guards are jiving.
Looney got into foul trouble early and played only 11 minutes, making way for rookie Jackson-Davis to play. He collected four quick fouls, but came back into the game later and delivered a key play.
Brandin Podziemski carried his strong preseason opener into Friday’s game with 10 points, 10 assists, no turnovers and six rebounds. Some of his highlight assists was a lob to Gary Payton II for a dunk in transition and a behind the back dish to Jackson-Davis under the basket for an easy dunk.