Klay Thompson scored 30 points with eight 3-pointers, Golden State limited Anthony Davis while allowing LeBron James 23 points, and the defending champion Warriors tied their Western Conference semifinal with the Los Angeles Lakers to one game apiece with a 127-game win. 100 on Thursday night. .
Stephen Curry added 20 points and 12 assists while Splash Brother Thompson shined to help Golden State make 21 more 3-pointers, giving the Warriors an NBA record for most in the first two games of a playoff series with 42. James’ Cavaliers scored 40 against Atlanta in the 2016 second round.
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, handles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference semifinal matchup, on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Coach Steve Kerr turned things around and inserted JaMychal Green into the starting lineup for Kevon Looney, who had a career-high 23 rebounds in Game 1 but has been dealing with illness. Kerr aimed to put together a different look with scoring options and perhaps more free-throw opportunities by attacking Davis in the paint, where Golden State was completely outplayed in a 117-112 loss in Game 1.
Thompson’s layup with 7:48 left in the third gave Golden State its biggest lead at 82-64 and the Warriors moved on. The Warriors had more fast-break points and points in the paint. JaMychal Green matched his career playoff high with 15 points, while Draymond Green chipped in with 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists after insisting he needed to be more aggressive.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference semifinal against the Los Angeles Lakers, Thursday, May 4, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The best-of-seven series moves to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday.
James shot 6 of 8 in the first with a pair of 3-pointers for 14 points as the Lakers won 33-26. He recovered a fumble and let it fly for a nice 3-pointer with 7:47 left before halftime, but the Warriors went too far.
HOWARD STERN DOES NOT LIKE THAT ‘BLACK PLAYERS’ DO NOT TALK TO HIM AT KNICKS GAMES: ‘THESE GUYS SHOULD HUG ME TOO’
Davis followed up his brilliant performance in Game 1: 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots and 11-of-19 shooting, shooting 11 points while shooting 5-of-11, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
Golden State outscored the Lakers 84-47 in the second and third quarters, recording two 40-point quarters in the same playoff game for the first time in franchise history.
Looney received some big roars as he came off the bench for his first action with 3:41 remaining in the first. He grabbed eight rebounds and scored six points playing just under 12 minutes.
Kerr was hardly worried before Game 2, noting how Golden State lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals at home to Boston last year before winning it all.
The Warriors also rallied from a 2-0 deficit in their first-round series to beat Sacramento, the first defending champion to do so.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference semifinal against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, May 4, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
THE DAY OF KLAY
Thompson shot 11 of 18 and 8 of 11 from deep. His 19 points in the first half were the most by him in a postseason matchup since he scored 21 in Game 6 against the Rockets in 2019.
KEY SEQUENCE
The Warriors challenged an offensive foul on Andrew Wiggins with James defending at the 2:50 mark of the second quarter. The call was overturned and a block was assessed for James, and a Lakers assistant received a technical during the review process, and the Warriors made all three free throws to lead 60-50 before Thompson’s 3 next time.
TIPS
Lakers: James was -27 through three quarters. The only time he had a worse plus-minus three in a playoff game was Game 1 of a second-round series against the Pistons in 2006… In a big change from Game 1, the Lakers didn’t take their first free throws until 1:03 before halftime and his four attempts equaled his second fewest in the first half this season… …Coach Darvin Ham challenged his players to keep running towards the defense to reduce the speed and flight ability of the Warriors. on the floor. He also played Davis and James for longer minutes than planned in the series opener: nearly 44 for Davis and 40 for James.
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Warriors: Moses Moody added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench and Gary Payton II seven points and five rebounds as Golden State controlled the cup all game. … JaMychal Green earned his first playoff start since April 26, 2019, for the Clippers against the Warriors in Game 6 of the first round. … Golden State’s 21 3-pointers in the opener tied the most in franchise history for a playoff game. … Golden State improved to 20-6 in Games 2 since the 2014-15 title race.