Kerr pulls right strings as Golden State Warriors tie series at 1-1 with blowout win

JaMychal Green starting in a near must-win playoff game? The ploy came as a shock to many when announced shortly before Game 2, but it proved effective as the Golden State Warriors tied their Conference Semifinals matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers at 1-1.

The veteran big started with Kevon Looney under the weather on Thursday, but Green’s perimeter spacing also created a different element that helped the Warriors put up 110 points in an explosive first three-quarters.

The Golden State Warriors bounced back with a dominant 127-100 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on Thursday.

Green hit three of his six three-point attempts on his way to 15 points in less than 13 minutes in Game 2, outscoring a sluggish Anthony Davis who backed up his 30-point, 23-rebound performance with just 11 points on 11 shots.

Game 2 began a little anxiously for Golden State as LeBron James’ 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting helped Los Angeles to a 33-26 lead after the opening quarter. It was a Warrior onslaught over the next two periods though, with the hosts outscoring the Lakers 84-47 over the following 24 minutes.

Golden State knocked down another 21 threes as they did in Game 1, but this time it took them 11 less attempts in shooting exactly 50% from deep. That was led by an imposing performance from Klay Thompson who backed up an inefficient Game 1 with 8-for-11 on threes to lead scoring with 30 breathtaking points.

Many fans were disappointed with Stephen Curry’s lack of scoring aggression before the final six minutes of Game 1, but the two-time MVP was masterful in not forcing offense and simply taking what the Lakers gave him. Curry finished with 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting, yet added 12 assists in a perfectly controlled point guard’s game.

After being shown up for long periods of Game 1, Draymond Green’s defense on Davis was a sight to behold as the Warriors made it a point to not allow the Lakers’ star easy access at the rim. Green was productive and more aggressive on the offensive end too, providing 11 points and nine assists to fall one dime shy of a triple-double.

After a game-defining 29-6 free-throw advantage on Tuesday night, the Lakers could only muster one more attempt than the Warriors in Game 2. Golden State also had six more points in the paint after Los Angeles dominated the interior with a 52-30 differential in Game 1.

The series now shifts to Los Angeles where the Lakers were 3-0 against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first-round. The Warriors will be hoping to steal at least one of the next two games, and Thursday’s blowout could provide the tonic for greater momentum moving forward.