Without productive Anthony Davis, Lakers are no match for Warriors in Game 2
Chriss Hughes
Lakers forward LeBron James works toward the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody, center, and Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, left, battle for a rebound during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5), left, during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry celebrates during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham watches from the sideline during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura controls the ball during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, second from right, shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, second from left, guard Steph Curry (30) and guard Jordan Poole, right, during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green drives to the basket in front of Lakers forward LeBron James, left, during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, left, reacts next to forward LeBron James during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against thr Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins drives to the basket as the Lakers’ Anthony Davis defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura dunks next to Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, left, during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura hangs from the rim after dunking next to Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, left, during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry handles the ball as Lakers guard Austin Reaves defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. Curry had 20 points and 12 assists as the Warriors evened the best-of-seven series with a 127-100 win. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, right, works toward the basket as Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry gets to the basket for a layup in front of the Lakers’ LeBron James, left, Jarred Vanderbilt and Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James handles the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, right, shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson looks on during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James drives during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, reacts toward a referee during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, center, shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole gets to the basket for a layup in front of the Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt, center, during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James handles the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James looks on as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura attempts a 3-point shot during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr yells from the sideline during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, right, defends Lakers forward LeBron James as they watch his shot attempt during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry looks on during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell reaches for the ball in front of Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, left, during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, center, battles Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, right, for the ball during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura dunks during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura dunks during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends against Lakers star Anthony Davis during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, right, shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry drives as Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. Curry had 20 points and 12 assists as the Warriors evened the best-of-seven series with a 127-100 win. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) works toward the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, left, during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal game, Thursday, May 4, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, works toward the basket as Golden State Warriors forwards Andrew Wiggins, center, and Draymond Green (23) defend during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers coach Darvin Ham reacts from the sideline during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, works toward the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell shoots during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James drives against the Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell looks to shoot as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James looks on during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson shoots while defended by Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, guard D’Angelo Russell, center, and guard Austin Reaves (15) during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green drives ahead of Lakers guard Dennis Schroder during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, handles the ball as Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry shoots during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, celebrates a basket during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson drives against Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, center, argues with Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, obstructed, during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham reacts during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry drives as Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, and guard Dennis Schroder dispute a call with referee Pat Fraher during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson shoots as Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell defends during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers forward LeBron James reacts during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody dunks during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry handles the ball as Lakers guard Dennis Schroder defends during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Malik Beasley, center, battles the Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody, right, for the ball during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, second right, and forward LeBron James, right, sit on the bench during the second half of their blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers star Anthony Davis looks on from the bench during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers stars LeBron James, right, and Anthony Davis, second from right, watch from the bench during the second half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson celebrates after their 127-100 victory over the Lakers in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry celebrates after their 127-100 victory over the Lakers in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Thursday night in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Lakers stars LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis stand together during the national anthem prior to Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James performs his pre-game chalk ritual prior to Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO — When he’s been at his best in the playoffs – sinking jump shots, scoring on muscular drives to the basket and generally wreaking havoc in the paint – Anthony Davis has been a serious problem for the Lakers’ opponents. When he hasn’t been at his best, the Lakers have been vulnerable.
They were vulnerable Thursday night.
The Golden State Warriors took full advantage of a neutralized Davis in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series against the Lakers, racing to a comprehensive 127-100 victory at Chase Center and sending the best-of-seven showdown to Crypto.com Arena deadlocked at one win apiece. Game 3 is Saturday.
To be fair, duplicating a 30-point, 23-rebound, five-assist, four-block game would be difficult for anyone. Suffice it to say, Davis didn’t come close to his remarkable Game 1 performance in Game 2, scoring only 11 points on 5-for-11 shooting with seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 23 points, and Rui Hachimura had 21.
“I took all the same shots I took in Game 1,” Davis said. “I just missed them. Elbow jumpers. Pocket passes to the floater. Same exact looks. Didn’t shoot any shots that I didn’t shoot in Game 1. Just missed them. That’s all. … We’ll be better. I’ll be better at making those shots. We’ll get back home on our home floor and try to take care of business.”
Lakers coach Darvin Ham pulled the plug on the game with the Lakers trailing by an astounding 110-80 to start the fourth quarter, inserting his bench players and removing Davis, James and the other starters. The Lakers were no match for the Warriors’ offensive onslaught.
“I still have to go back and watch the game (on video), but my gut feeling, my instincts tell me that my eyes saw us settle a little bit, mishandle the ball some early,” Ham said. “We were right there early on, neck-and-neck. A couple of possessions got away from us early.”
Of the Warriors’ Game 2 adjustments in covering Davis, Ham said, “I thought they did a good job of crowding the paint and not allowing us, trying to prevent us from playing downhill as much (as in Game 1). That, in turn, affects what we do at the free throw-line. We’ll go back to the drawing board.”
The Lakers shot 17 free throws in Game 2 after shooting 29 in Game 1.
“I have zero thoughts,” Ham said, not wishing to be fined by the NBA for criticizing the officiating of the Game 2 crew of Tony Brothers, Eric Lewis and Pat Fraher. “I get paid to coach. … Anything officials related, that’s on the league to look at, try to be as far and consistent for both teams.”
Klay Thompson scored a Warriors-leading 30 points on 11-for-18 shooting, and Steph Curry had 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting. The Warriors outscored the Lakers by 43-24 during the pivotal third quarter, turning a tight game into a rout. The Lakers hadn’t given up 40 points in a quarter until Game 2.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr made the first move in the chess match that followed the Lakers’ victory in Game 1. It was a move of necessity in more ways than one. As it turned out, Warriors center Kevon Looney was “not feeling well” and did not start Game 2 after grabbing 23 rebounds in Game 1.
JaMychal Green, averaging 1.5 points and 1.0 rebounds in the playoffs, took Looney’s starting spot. It had the intended consequence of giving Golden State a smaller and quicker lineup than the one Davis torched during the Lakers’ 117-112 victory in Game 1 on Tuesday.
Kerr also had Draymond Green defend Davis to start Game 2. Davis was nowhere near as effective.
“They were, for sure, dropping into the paint tonight,” Hachimura said. “I think they made a good adjustment, for sure. Now it’s our turn to make an adjustment. Next game is going to be very important for us. They might do the same thing. We’ve got to figure it out. We’re going to watch film. We’ve just got to figure it out.”
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