Thompson Scores 30, Warriors Adjust to Beat Lakers 127-100

Golden State restricted Anthony Davis while allowing LeBron James to score 23, Klay Thompson scored 30 points with eight 3-pointers, and the defending champion Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 127-100 to tie the Western Conference semifinal series at one game each.

Thurs. night’s 127-100 victory for the defending champion Warriors evened their Western Conference semifinal with the Los Angeles Lakers at one game each thanks to Klay Thompson’s 30 points, eight 3-pointers, and LeBron James’ 23 points while limiting Anthony Davis.

Splash Brother Thompson shone to help Golden State make 21 more 3-pointers, giving the Warriors an NBA record for the most in the first two games of a playoff series at 42. Stephen Curry added 20 points and 12 assists. In the 2016 second round against Atlanta, James’ Cavaliers made 40 field goals.

Kevon Looney, who had a career-high 23 rebounds in Game 1 but has been ill, was replaced by JaMychal Green in the starting lineup as coach Steve Kerr made a change. In the paint, where Golden State was thoroughly outplayed in the team’s opening loss of 117-112, Kerr went hard at Davis in an effort to give a different look with scoring options and perhaps more free-throw opportunities.

With 7:48 remaining in the third, Thompson’s basket gave Golden State its largest lead at 82-64, and the Warriors roared ahead after that. Fast-break points and points in the paint were more prevalent for the Warriors. JaMychal Green matched his playoff career high with 15 points, and Draymond Green chipped in with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists after adamantly stating that he needed to be more aggressive.

On Saturday, Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be played in Los Angeles.

James scored 14 points on 6 of 8 shots (including a pair of 3-pointers) in the first quarter as the Lakers led 33-26. With 7:47 left in the half, he grabbed a loose ball and let it fly for a beautiful 3-pointer, but the Warriors were too much.

Davis scored 11 points on 5 of 11 shooting, grabbed seven rebounds, helped out with four assists, blocked three shots, and finished with 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists, and four blocked shots in Game 1 to follow up his outstanding performance.

Golden State recorded two 40-point quarters in a playoff game for the first time in the team’s history as they outscored the Lakers 84-47 in the second and third quarters.

When Looney entered the game for the first time with 3:41 remaining in the first, he was greeted by thunderous applause. In just under 12 minutes, he played, racked up eight boards, and scored six points.

Before Game 2, Kerr said he wasn’t too concerned because Golden State had lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals at home to Boston the year before, but had gone on to win the championship.

The Warriors became the first defending champion to ever defeat Sacramento by coming back from a 2-0 deficit in their first-round series.

Reference: www.usnews.com