Even Warriors Are Impressed by Lakers’ Third-Quarter Blitz

Guard Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors just shook his head when he was asked about the third period of the Lakers’ 125-116 win over the Warriors in the first game of their Western Conference semifinal series at the Forum.

“I’ve never seen anything like it and I hope I don’t see it again unless it’s on our side,” Mullin said.

The Warriors, who built a 62-55 first-half lead against the Lakers, were blown out in the third period, 49-23, the second-best quarter in National Basketball Assn. playoff history.

“It’s probably as much as I’ve enjoyed watching a team play kick my butt,” said Warrior Coach George Karl of the Lakers’ blitz. “I mean, it was beautiful basketball. I don’t think we really lost our composure in that situation.

“They were just running by us and they came out aggressive on the defensive end. We missed some easy shots in the third period and that kind of got them off and rolling. Everything collapsed. It’s happened a few other times in this building.

“If you take eight minutes (in the third period) out of that game, we’d have a hell of a chance to win. Can they repeat that quarter? I bet they can. Now I’m beginning to sound like (Denver Nugget Coach) Doug Moe.”

James Worthy scored 18 points and Magic Johnson had 13 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in the third period.

Michael Cooper buried the Warriors by hitting three three-point shots in the third period.

“I don’t think we have anything to feel bad about in the third period,” said Warrior forward Larry Smith, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds. “They’re a good team. They’ve been doing it for 82 games.”

Said guard Terry Teagle: “Once the Lakers get you down, they don’t let you up. They just played a great third quarter. I don’t think they missed a shot. But we’re a team that seems to come back and play our best ball when we’re down.”

The Lakers made 17 of 21 shots in the third period and 12 of 15 free throws. The Warriors hit just 11 of 24 shots from the floor, and they didn’t attempt any free throws in the period.

“It (the third period) speaks for itself,” Warrior forward Greg Ballard said. “They capitalized on our mistakes, rebounded well and Magic was perfect on the break.

“Then the crowd got behind them, and Cooper hit those three-pointers, and it was the best basketball for one quarter that I’ve ever had to deal with. They’re a great running team and they showed it tonight.”

The Lakers, coming off a six-day layoff, looked rusty in the first half.

For example, the Lakers had just three fast-break baskets in the first half, however, they had 10 baskets off their fast break in the third period.

“We did a good job of slowing down their break in the first half,” said Golden State guard Eric (Sleepy) Floyd, who scored 19 points and passed off for 7 assists. “But in the third quarter, they got their running game going and that was pretty much the difference.

“I think the main thing we have to do Thursday (in Game 2) is to stop their runs. The Lakers are a team that plays in spurts. I think they proved that tonight. Our job is to make sure that we control that aspect of their attack.”

Said Warrior forward Purvis Short: “Once they got their running game going, they’re virtually unstoppable.”

The Warriors, who had just one day to prepare for the Lakers after beating Utah Sunday, appeared to tire in the third quarter. “I don’t think we can use that as an excuse,” Short said. “We just have to be better prepared.”

Golden State center Joe Barry Carroll looked like two different players, scoring 20 points in the first half and just 2 in the second.

He made eight consecutive shots from the floor after missing his first shot. He hit 8 of 10 shots from the floor in the first half.

Carroll scored 14 points in the first quarter, hitting seven straight shots.

But reality hit Carroll and the Warriors in the third period.

Carroll said he couldn’t solve the double- and triple-teaming defenses that the Lakers used against him in the second half.

“They ran two and three people at me and I had to pass the ball off (in the second half),” Carroll said.

“They got hot in the third quarter,” Carroll added. “They were doing everything right, and we were having difficulty getting things started.

“It’s not the first time that a team has had that kind of quarter. It’s happened before. The only thing we can do is to start all over Thursday. It’s Game 2 and that’s how we’ll look at it as a new start.”

Added Floyd: “It’s a long series, and I’ve still got a positive feeling.”