With eight triples from an imperial Klay Thompson and 12 assists from a Stephen Curry who adopted the role of conductor, the Golden State Warriors tied the Western semifinal against the Los Angeles Lakers (1-1) on Thursday. An overwhelming victory (127-120) that had luxury spectators. Pedri González and Eric GarcÃa took advantage of the week off that Xavi Hernández gave the Barça players after winning against Osasuna. A victory that put the league on track for the Blaugrana team that will face Espanyol next Sunday, May 14, after the competition stopped this weekend for the Copa del Rey final between Osasuna and Real Madrid.
After being defeated in the first game of the semifinals in San Francisco (112-117), the current NBA champions vindicated themselves by winning a match that they already dominated by 30 points before the start of the last quarter. Thompson led Golden State with 30 points and an excellent 8-of-11 3-point range while Curry added 20 points (7-of-12 shooting).
The Lakers, however, offered a fragile image, especially in defense, and suffered from the lack of success of Anthony Davis who, after his display in the first game (30 points and 23 rebounds), only had 11 points and seven rebounds (5 of 11 shooting). Once again LeBron James was the benchmark for the Angelenos with 23 points and seven rebounds, and he was accompanied by Rui Hachimura, who put on a good performance with 18 points.
The key to the Warriors’ triumph was their dominance from the line of three (a great 21 of 42 compared to 10 of 34 for the Lakers) and control of the rebound (65 of 49). The series will now travel to Los Angeles where on Saturday both teams will play the third game.
Despite the final result, the Angelenos began dominating the match with a great LeBron. The Warriors had a hard time getting off the ground, and it wasn’t until the second quarter that they picked up the pace. Much more intense in defense and successful both in the triple and in the fight for the rebound, those from San Francisco turned the game around against Lakers who were absolutely overwhelmed. Curry was key in that local transformation, with 8 assists in the first half.
The other great protagonist of the night, Klay Thompson, offered an authentic three-point recital and increased the advantage of the Warriors, who were never behind on the scoreboard again. The Lakers could do nothing to stop the local offense. A spectacular dunk from Moses Moody closed the third period with an unattainable 30 for the Angelenos.
After the game, LeBron James appeared at a press conference and praised the good game for the Warriors. “You have to give credit where credit is due: They played exceptionally well tonight, we didn’t and the series is even,” the Angels leader said. He also wanted to defend his team’s approach and set his sights on the next match. “We are already thinking about the next game but our defense is what we cling to and that doesn’t change, no matter who we play against,” he concluded.
Both teams will meet again on Saturday in Los Angeles to play the third game of the series. The 76ers and the Celtics, for their part, will play the third game of the Eastern semifinal tomorrow after the brutal beating of Boston in the second game.
