Klay Thompson scored 30 factors with eight 3-pointers, Golden State restricted Anthony Davis whereas permitting LeBron James 23 factors, and the defending champion Warriors evened their Western Conference semifinal with the Los Angeles Lakers at one recreation apiece with a 127-100 win Thursday night time.
Stephen Curry added 20 factors and 12 assists as Splash Brother Thompson shined to assist Golden State make 21 extra 3-pointers — giving the Warriors an NBA report for many within the first two video games of a playoff collection at 42. James’ Cavaliers hit 40 towards Atlanta within the 2016 second spherical.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, handles the ball towards Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James (6) throughout the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal recreation, Thursday, May 4, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Coach Steve Kerr switched issues up and inserted JaMychal Green into the beginning lineup for Kevon Looney, who had a career-high 23 rebounds in Game 1 however has been coping with an sickness. Kerr aimed to provide a distinct look with scoring choices and maybe extra free-throw probabilities by going laborious at Davis within the paint — the place Golden State bought totally outplayed in a 117-112 loss within the opener.
Thompson’s basket with 7:48 left within the third gave Golden State its largest lead at 82-64 and the Warriors rolled from there. The Warriors had extra fast-break factors and factors within the paint. JaMychal Green matched his playoff profession excessive with 15 factors, whereas Draymond Green contributed 11 factors, 11 rebounds and 9 assists after insisting he needed to get extra aggressive.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates throughout the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal recreation towards the Los Angeles Lakers, Thursday, May 4, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The best-of-seven collection shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday.
James shot 6 for 8 within the first with a pair of 3s for 14 factors because the Lakers led 33-26. He retrieved a unfastened ball and let it fly for a fairly 3 with 7:47 earlier than halftime however the Warriors have been an excessive amount of.
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Davis adopted up his sensible Game 1 efficiency — 30 factors, 23 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocked pictures and 11-for-19 capturing — with 11 factors whereas capturing 5 for 11, seven rebounds, 4 assists and three blocks.
Golden State outscored the Lakers 84-47 over the second and third quarters — recording two 40-point quarters in the identical playoff recreation for the primary time in franchise historical past.
Looney acquired big roars as he got here off the bench for his first motion with 3:41 left within the first. He grabbed eight rebounds and scored six factors taking part in simply lower than 12 minutes.
Kerr was hardly anxious forward of Game 2, pointing to how Golden State misplaced Game 1 of the NBA Finals at residence to Boston final yr earlier than successful all of it.
The Warriors additionally rallied from a 2-0 deficit of their first-round collection to beat Sacramento, the primary defending champion to ever accomplish that.
Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James (6) reacts throughout the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal recreation towards the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, May 4, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
KLAY’S DAY
Thompson shot 11 for 18 and eight of 11 from deep. His 19 factors within the first half have been his most in a postseason contest since he scored 21 in Game 6 towards the Rockets in 2019.
KEY SEQUENCE
The Warriors challenged an offensive foul name on Andrew Wiggins with James defending on the 2:50 mark of the second quarter. The name was overturned and a block assessed to James, and a Lakers assistant acquired a technical throughout the overview course of — and the Warriors transformed all three free throws to steer 60-50 earlier than Thompson’s 3 the following time down.
TIP-INS
Lakers: James was -27 by three quarters. The solely time he had a worse plus-minus by three in a playoff recreation was Game 1 of a second-round collection towards the Pistons in 2006. … In an enormous change from Game 1, the Lakers did not take their first free throws till 1:03 earlier than halftime and their 4 makes an attempt matched their second-fewest in a primary half this season.. … Coach Darvin Ham challenged his gamers to maintain sprinting again on protection to curtail the Warriors’ velocity and skill to fly down the ground. He additionally performed Davis and James longer minutes within the collection opener than deliberate – almost 44 for Davis and 40 for James.
Warriors: Moses Moody added 10 factors and 7 rebounds off the bench and Gary Payton II seven factors and 5 boards as Golden State managed the glass all recreation. … JaMychal Green earned his first playoff begin since April 26, 2019, for the Clippers towards the Warriors in Game 6 of the primary spherical. … Golden State’s 21 3s within the opener matched essentially the most in franchise historical past for a playoff recreation. … Golden State improved to 20-6 in Game 2s relationship to the 2014-15 title run.
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