When the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors take the floor Sunday night at Staples Center, expect a fast-paced game. This game features two of the fastest tempos in the league. The Warriors average 96.5 possessions per 48 minutes, which ranks fourth in the NBA, while the Lakers average 96.0 possessions per 48 minutes, which is sixth in the league.
The fast pace is nothing new for the Warriors, who have played at a pace at or near the top of the league for each of the last five seasons:
| Golden State of Mind | ||
| Year | Pace | NBA Rank |
| 2010-11 | 96.5 | 4th |
| 2009-10 | 100.4 | 1st |
| 2008-09 | 98.2 | 1st |
| 2007-08 | 98.8 | 2nd |
| 2006-07 | 99.2 | 1st |
| 2005-06 | 93.3 | 4th |
| Source: Basketball-Reference.com | ||
However, just because the Warriors play at such a fast pace doesn't mean their offense is that good. Golden State is 18th in the league in offensive efficiency, scoring right at the league average of 106.5 points per 100 possessions. Meanwhile, the Lakers are the top-ranked offense in the league, at or near the top of the league in several offensive categories:
- 1st in points per game (112.2)
- 1st in offensive efficiency (116.9 points per 100 possessions)
- 1st in three-point percentage (43.6%)
- 2nd in effective field goal percentage (52.4%)
- 2nd in free throw percentage (81.7%)
- 2nd in lowest turnover percentage (12.4 per 100 possessions)
- 3rd in offensive rebound percentage (31.7% of available rebounds)
The Lakers have beaten the Warriors 10 straight times.
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