Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo, center, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, reach for the ball during the first half of Game 2 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu May 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Even Series 1-1 Demolishing Lakers 127-100

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (1-1) came away with a huge 127-100 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers (1-1) on Thursday night . It was a must win for Golden State not wanting to fall behind the Lakers 0-2. Also not wanting to lose two games at Chase Center despite having a great start and a great finish in game one the Warriors lost in game one 117-112 and had a huge recovery in game 2.

In game one both teams were terrific. There were only eight turnovers for each team; so great ball protection for the Warriors and the Lakers. The Lakers dominated in the paint in that first game and Thursday night the Warriors were able to flip the script with their 27 point victory.

Game 2 recap: In the opening quarter, the Lakers finished with a 33-26 lead. LeBron James had a great start and as this game went on he would not get a whole lot of support from his starters. It was all on him.

In the second quarter the Warriors really took the Lakers to task dominating in the paint. With under two minutes left in the half, the Warriors had a 65-54 lead. Of concern were the three personal fouls called on Warrior guard Stephen Curry. Anthony Davis had three personals as well. Klay Thompson went off in the half finishing with 19 points. At the half the Warriors had a 67-56 lead.

LeBron finished the first half with 21 points and 23 for the game and Rui Hachimura had 14 off the bench and was four of four from downtown finished with 21 points in the contest. Thompson finished the half with 19 points the only Warrior in double digits. The turnaround from Davis was stunning in this game. He went from being one of the best players on the floor in game one to being pretty much completely ineffective in the first half of game two.

The Warriors put a hurt on the Lakers in the third quarter leading 110-80. Thompson continued his onslaught with 30 points, and was eight of 11 from beyond the arc. Davis continued to be a non- factor and the Warriors were outplaying the Lakers in the paint, from downtown and rebounding. They won the third quarter 43-24. Every starter for Golden State had double digits going into the fourth quarter.

The Golden State bench would finish the game delivering the win in true Warrior form. The Warriors had twice as many turnovers than in game one with 16. The Warriors finished this game with 21 shots from downtown to the Lakers ten. They were great in defensive transition and this game could not have gone better for the Warriors.

Although Curry only had 20 points, he had 12 assists. Draymond Green finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. “We realized that we let one go in game one and we’ve been having to bounce back all year and not a better group to do it with,” said Thompson after the game. “Our offense was flowing and our turnovers were low. We keep it simple, the flood gates will open,” Thompson who led with 30 points said.

Golden State will now travels down Southland for game three at Crypto.com Arena. That game will be played on Saturday evening with tipoff at 5:30 PM.