San Francisco – Ahead of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr sat on the podium during his pregame news conference and expressed confidence in his team.
After the Game 1 loss, Kerr said he believed in the Warriors’ ability to make the right adjustments and bounce back.
Golden State followed their coach’s words and beat the Lakers badly 127-100 to tie the series at one game each on Thursday.
The Warriors’ major adjustment in Game 2 was shortening, removing kevon looney starting lineup and replacing Jamichal Green,
Green came as something of a surprise as Looney’s replacement, but the Warriors accomplished what they set out to do – get out in change and increase the momentum.
“It’s using our strengths to our advantage,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry Said. “You have to give up something. So as long as we’re decisive and have our floor spread out properly, can usually get a good shot, and then you have to knock them down.”
The decision to start Green was made for two reasons: One was to maintain floor spacing by having more shooters in the lineup. Had to put some big bodies on the floor to counter the size of other guards like the Lakers Jordan Poole Or Donte DiVincenzo – Warriors often go when two players start small.
“With Loon not being in the lineup, we knew we needed some dog in there, and he stepped up for us in a big way,” the Warriors continued. Draymond Green Said.
lakers ahead Lebron James Added, “JMichael hit him big time. He felt like 12 minutes 24 minutes, 30 minutes. He also went big time for his team in the starting role tonight.”
Draymond Green said the Warriors’ defense fueled their offense — a pillar of Golden State’s mentality over the past decade.
And the Warriors relied heavily on Draymond Green as their “big man” for that defense. After his Game 1 performance, which he described as “disgusting”, Green was assigned the longer task of being the lead guard. Anthony Davis, With Green as the primary point guard in Game 2, Davis went 4-of-8 from the floor and averaged 0.89 points per game. In Game 1, Davis shot 8-of-12 against Looney, who took the lead assignment.
Draymond Green assisted in a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists.
Perhaps the biggest sign of the Warriors’ improved defense was at the free throw line. A game after Los Angeles attempted 29 free throws – 23 more than Golden State – the Lakers took just 17, making 10 of them.
“We met force with force,” said Draymond Green. “We fouled a lot last game, and we were at the free throw line and it seemed like every game. It’s tough. This is a great defensive team. Every time you’re playing against that defense, The one just waiting for you under the floor.” To come down, it’s very tough to score. I think our defense played some of the better offenses for us.”
“These are the moments you work for. Those little moments of excitement and that flow state where you think you can’t miss it make all those hard days worth it. I just want to let the rush go.” Was trying and it’s always fun when you shoot the ball well.”
klay thompson
Golden State also went 21-of-42 from 3, compared to the Lakers’ 10-of-34 shooting from distance. The Warriors had 42 3-pointers in this series — 26 more than the Lakers — the most in a two-game span in their post-season history and second most in a two-game span in NBA playoff history.
The 26 more 3-pointers made are tied for the third-best differential in a two-game span in any playoff series.
klay thompson Scored 30 points – 14 of which came in the third quarter – on 11-of-18 shooting, including 8-of-11 from 3. Thompson now leads the NBA in season games with 3-pointers with 12 made at least seven. ,
“These are the moments you work for,” Thompson said. “Those little moments of excitement and that flow state where you think you can’t miss make all those tough days worth it. I was just trying to let the rush go, and when you hit the ball well It’s always fun if you hit it that way.” ,
Meanwhile, as Curry navigated through foul trouble, he took a backseat on scoring and instead played a more traditional point guard role through playmaking. Curry recorded a season-high eight assists in the first half before totaling 12 on the night, his most in a playoff game since 2015.
During the Warriors’ 8-0 run in the first three minutes of the second quarter – a stretch that featured a lineup Andrew WigginsThompson, DiVincenzo, Curry and Looney – all of Golden State’s buckets were assisted by Curry.
“I’ve been able to play a lot of different ways,” Curry said. “As long as we’re just making open shots, it doesn’t matter who’s taking them — and obviously I didn’t have a lot of open shots tonight for some reason — make the right decisions. The ball finds the right person.” Yes, and good things happen.”
Curry was double-teamed on 10 plays in Game 2. On those plays, the Warriors shot 6-of-9, including 6-of-9 passes from Curry.
It was the second time in Curry’s playoff career that he had as many or more assists than field goal attempts in a game, as he scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
Spreading the floor and defeating Los Angeles with 3-point shooting and ball movement was always part of Golden State’s game plan for this series. After their Game 1 loss to the Warriors, they knew they would have to make the right adjustments to get there.
It’s the way they navigated their first round series against Australia sacramento kings,
Curry said, “They’re always trying to solve the Rubik’s Cube every game, and it starts in a different place.” “And that’s the beauty of basketball and the way you look at it. I love that part of the game.”
As the series heads to Los Angeles, Curry knows the Lakers, who claim to have the best defense in the leagueWill make the necessary adjustments to knock the Warriors out of their rhythm.
“We had some success there and then [the Kings] Curry said, “Trying to answer that and we figured it out.”
