The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a stiff test in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors. It is a clash of NBA styles as the Lakers play a more physical, defensive-oriented game while the Warriors are a free-flowing, perimeter-orientated offensive team.
That has led to two very different results in Games 1 and 2 of the series. In Game 1, the Lakers were led by a dominating performance from Anthony Davis, who became the fifth Laker ever to record a 30-20 game. Despite losing the 3-point battle by 15, Los Angeles prevailed because of domination in the paint and at the foul line.
Golden State adjusted in Game 2, replacing Kevon Looney in the starting five with JaMychal Green. They still had enough size to bang with the Lakers on the interior, but were able to spread them even thinner defensively with four capable shooters surrounding Draymond Green.
It led to a blowout victory for the Warriors, who won 127-100. With the series heading back to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4, it is now time for the Lakers to adjust and counter-attack. But, don’t expect too many changes defensively, as LeBron James still has faith in how the Lakers are doing things on that end of the court.
“We’re still the best defensive team in the league, if not one of them,” James said. “So that doesn’t change. That’s what we hang our hats on. … That doesn’t stop no matter who we’re playing against.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers & Golden State Warriors Updates
The approach was certainly similar on that end of the court for Los Angeles. Golden State is going to launch a ton of 3-pointers, but how their defense was deployed was adjusted. With only one non-shooter on the court, Davis could not camp out around the rim and shut the paint down as he did in Game 1.
Where Los Angeles needs to readjust is on the offensive side of the ball. Going up against the Greens is a much tougher matchup for Davis, as they have the size to compete and more athleticism than Looney to be able to stick with him a little more.
“I took all the same shots I took in Game 1. I just missed them,” Davis said. “Elbow jumpers. Pocket passes to the floater. Same exact looks. Didn’t shoot no shot that I didn’t shoot in Game 1. Just missed them. That’s all.”
While there were certainly some shot attempts Davis missed, the Warriors’ defense deserves some credit. As head coach Darvin Ham pointed out, their lineup change led to some adjustments being possible on that end of the court as well.
“I thought they did a good job of crowding the paint and not allowing us, trying to prevent us from playing downhill as much,” Ham said. “That in turn affects what we do at the free throw line.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers & Golden State Warriors Updates
The free throw line is where the biggest difference was. In Game 1, the Warriors were hacking and whacking with regularity, sending the Lakers to the foul line 29 times. They were able to convert on 25 of those attempts compared to only 5-for-6 for the Warriors.
That 20-point difference made up the difference in 3-point makes, as Golden State knocked down 15 more shots from long range than the Lakers. Both teams made 43 shots overall, but the free throws were the difference.
In Game 2, that free throw disparity was erased. Golden State played a cleaner game defensively, sending the Lakers to the foul line only 17 times. The Warriors attempted 16 and with another 3-point advantage, led to a blowout win.
“You got to keep scoring, get to the free throw line as well, or just get points in the paint,” James said. “They’re going to go on runs. That’s what they do. But you got to keep scoring, try to hold the fort down.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers & Golden State Warriors Updates
Getting to the foul line helps the Lakers slow down the game to a pace they prefer and get their defense set. It will be a key to watch for the remainder of the series as Los Angeles has to find ways to make up for the large gap in 3-point shooting.
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