Author: Monojit Mandal
The Golden State Warriors beat the Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semi-finals 127-100, tying the series at one game apiece. Thompson led the way with 30 points and eight three-pointers, and Stephen Curry contributed 20 points and 12 assists. The Warriors have entered the NBA record book. In the first two games of the playoff series, they made 42 three-point shots (21 + 21). They thus broke the previous record of 40, set by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
Coach Steve Kerr made a decision in the line-up, cutting JaMychal Green in place of Looney, who had a career-high 23 rebounds in Game 1 but was ill. By attacking Anthony Davis on the court, the Warriors hoped to increase their scoring options and free throw opportunities.
At the end of the third quarter, Thompson’s shot gave the Warriors their biggest lead of the game, 82-64, and they never looked back. Green, on the other hand, equalled his career playoff record with 15 points, while the other Green, Draymond Green, scored 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
LeBron had a solid first quarter, scoring 14 points, but the Lakers couldn’t keep pace with the Warriors. Davis added 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists and three vital blocks to his effort in Game 1.
The Warriors beat the Lakers 84-47 in the second and third quarters, becoming the first team in club history to have two 40-point quarters in the same playoff game. Looney received a warm welcome when he entered the game for the first time, grabbing eight rebounds and scoring six points in just under 12 minutes.
The series now heads to Los Angeles for Game 3, and Kerr is confident his team can bounce back from a setback in Game 1. He cited last year’s NBA Finals, when the Warriors lost Game 1 at home to the Boston Celtics before winning the championship.