The Golden State Warriors are facing off against the San Francisco – Los Angeles Lakers team, which has hit 42 3-pointers in the first two games of their second round series, setting a league record for the most 3-pointers hit by any team in the first two games of a playoff series. They are trying to stop a Warriors squad that won Game 2 on Thursday, 127-100, which featured not one, but two 40-point quarters – a first in franchise history. And for a team that has won four championships in the last eight seasons, that says something.
They are now trying to thwart the league’s best shooting backcourt, both of whom are locked in with future Hall of Famers. Klay Thompson scored 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-8 from three, and Stephen Curry finished with 20 points and 12 assists. Even in the face of a challenge, LeBron James said the Lakers, who altered their defense after the trade deadline to change the course of their season, won’t allow their defensive standards to slip.”
“We are still the best defensive team in the league, even if one of us is not,” James said. “That doesn’t change. That’s what we hang our hats on… It doesn’t matter who we’re playing against.”
Despite the explosive night from the Warriors, LA still holds the second-best defensive rating among the remaining eight teams in the playoffs at 106.5 points allowed per 100 possessions, only behind the New York Knicks (105.9).
But Thursday’s game was a disappointing one, to say the least.
LA took a seven-point lead after the first quarter, led by James’ 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
And then the wheels fell off.
Golden State put on a dominant performance, outscoring the Lakers 84-47 in the second and third quarters combined.
This post-season matchup in basketball is coming in Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, during the play-in game against Memphis, the first round series, and the Lakers’ Game 1 win over Golden State – LA hadn’t allowed a 40-point quarter once before, then it happened back-to-back.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel started the fourth quarter with his team down by 30, pulling his starters and playing his bench until the end, giving minutes to Tristan Thompson, Shaquille Harrison, and deceiver Max Christie.
James said that it would be important for the Lakers to stay connected with the Warriors’ shooters when they get hot.
James said, “You have to keep scoring, go to the free throw line, or just get points in the paint. They’re going to make runs. They do it all the time. But you have to keep scoring and try to keep the lead.”
In Game 1, after 29 trips to the line, the Lakers only attempted nine free throws in the first three quarters.
Ham said, “I thought they did a good job of crowding the paint and not allowing us to get downhill. It affects what we do at the free throw line.”
There was also a big drop-off for Anthony Davis, who had 30 points on 11-for-19 shooting in the opener, but only 11 points on 5-for-11 shooting afterward.
Davis said, “I watched all the shots I took in Game 1. I remember them. Elbow jumper. Goes to the pocket floater. That’s where it looks good. I didn’t take any shots in Game 1, no shot attempts. Just remember them. That’s it.”
It was a similar story with Davis’ ups and downs against the Grizzlies, where every time he scored 20 or more points in a game, he followed it up with 16 or fewer points.
“We will improve. I will make those shots better,” said Davis. “We will come back home and try to manage the business.”
Despite the losses, LAE is 15-5 in their last 20 games, making a comeback by mid-March. And these Lakers have only lost one game in a row since overhauling their roster with several trades at the deadline.
They will host Game 3 at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, where they are 4-0 after this season.
Haim said, “I hope our team will respond properly.”
But it cannot be denied that the Warriors are capable of what they do.
Haim said, “We’ve cut our work for us.” “You can’t get to this point in the season because it’s easy.”
