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The Golden State Warriors-Los Angeles Lakers strategy battle ahead of Game 3

By Deepit Sharma

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts ahead of Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game two of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 04, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts ahead of Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game two of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 04, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals saw the Golden State Warriors jump right back into the series, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in a stunning 127-100 victory that leaves the matchup evenly poised heading to Crypto.com Arena.

The win came after a deserved defeat at the hands of the Lakers in Game 1. After that loss, Steve Kerr had spoken about it being a chance to feel things out and devise a working gameplan. Well, bang on target, Kerr and the Warriors delivered a masterful performance to turn the tide in their favor.

The NBA Playoffs are a tug of war between competing strategies across a seven-game series, and that is again the case in this Golden State Warriors-Los Angeles Lakers matchup.

Draymond Green was more successful in containing Anthony Davis and his offense than he was in Game 1. Whether it be due to Davis’ boiled down aggression or Green’s improvement of the same, containing Davis will be crucial to ensure that the Lakers do not get any momentum going. From scoring 30 points and 23 rebounds in Game 1, Davis delivered just 11 points and seven rebounds.

Klay Thompson, too, shone bright in Game 2 as he shook off an inefficient 25-point performance in Game 1 to lead the scoreboard in Game 2 with 30. Meanwhile, fellow Splash Bro Stephen Curry had a different game as well, but the impact he made was noteworthy.

Playing the game-maker’s role, Curry provided 12 assists with 20 points to help the Warriors clinch victory. Adding to the Big Three’s performance, Steve Kerr executed brilliant strategy to answer the Lakers. The most surprising play came to be JaMyChal Green starting after a not-so-active season on court.

However, as the ball re-enters the Lakers’ court, it’s safe to assume that they will work on an answer for the Warriors. Re-adjusting resources when it comes to who’s defending Curry, and making more efficient use of players like Jarred Vanderbilt is bound to reap instant rewards.

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Davis and LeBron James will shoulder the task of delivering the kind of classic, motivated performance that wins them games. With the streak at home in their favor, and the home crowd ready to bring the right energy, some problems from Game 2 might just fix themselves. As far as the rest, the strategizing will come down to a game of chess, something that Steve Kerr has shown a capacity in winning across an eight-year period that’s yielded four championships.

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