Anthony Davis says greed is good for Lakers going into Game 2
SAN FRANCISCO — Anthony Davis and the Lakers were right here, standing in the same position a little more than two weeks ago in Memphis after seizing Game 1 of their first-round playoff series with a late-game surge. Davis said Wednesday they hope to avoid a repeat of what happened next.
The Lakers were listless and lackluster during a loss to the Grizzlies in Game 2, sending the best-of-seven series back to Los Angeles tied at one victory apiece. Good enough, as it turned out, to enable them to build a 3-1 series lead en route to a 4-2 victory. But they don’t want a split this time, Davis said.
No, they want more.
The Lakers want (read: need) a second consecutive victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night and a 2-0 lead going back to Crypto.com Arena for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday. Anything else would be settling for splitting two games against the ever-dangerous Warriors.
“Being greedy, not being complacent, not being satisfied,” Davis said of the keys to the Lakers’ success for Game 2 at Chase Center. “We know this team can win four straight if they have to. We’ve seen it. We’ve got to be even more locked in on the defensive end knowing that they’re going to come out trying not to go down 0-2, obviously, going back to L.A.”
Davis had a monster game in the Lakers’ 117-112 victory in Game 1 on Tuesday, with 30 points on 11-for-19 shooting, 23 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots in nearly 44 minutes of dominant play at both ends of the court. Asking for a repeat in Game 2 would be a tall order, right?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
“I thought A.D. had a great game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said late Tuesday night. “Obviously, he dominated. That’s what this team (the Lakers) has been doing now for the last few months. They have been one of the best defensive teams in the league for a reason, and he’s a huge part of that. So, he had a great game and we’ll watch the tape and we’ll see where we can find better ways to attack.”
Offensively, Davis found the soft spots in the Warriors’ defense, getting into an early rhythm by scoring 23 points on 9-for-10 shooting in the first half. He sank mid-range jump shots and also muscled his way for baskets closer to the rim, taking advantage of his size and strength.
Defensively, Davis was in constant motion. He had to stay back and protect the rim from Kevon Looney, who had 10 points and a career-high 23 rebounds (including seven offensive rebounds), and Draymond Green, who had six points and seven assists. Davis also had to jump out to the perimeter, too.
Such is Golden State’s motion offense that a big defender must be prepared to play a dual role in picking up Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole when they come off screens and, let’s face it, it can be a no-win situation. Curry had 27 points, Thompson had 25 and Poole had 21 in Game 1, with each of them draining six 3-point shots.
Davis did as well as could be expected.
Maybe better.
“I’m constantly moving,” Davis said when asked about being matched up against Looney, who isn’t the offensive threat that Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies was in the first-round series. “It’s not just like I’m sitting back and if our guys get screened, (and the Warriors) shoot the ball and I’ll just get the rebound. So, I still have to be engaged in knowing where guys are. It’s never less taxing playing these guys. You’re constantly moving even if you’re guarding a lesser threat on the court.”
GETTING DEFENSIVE
Lakers coach Darvin Ham stressed the need to avoid getting discouraged by the Warriors’ ability to go on scoring binges like the one that wiped out the Lakers’ 14-point lead late in Game 1. He said shooting guard Austin Reaves is one player who tends to roll with whatever’s just happened, letting it go quickly.
“You have to have a next-play mentality and be ready to give multiple efforts on the defensive side of the ball continuously throughout a 48-minute game or however long it takes to win the game,” Ham said. “So, they understand, and he’s right at the top of the list where he doesn’t get discouraged. He just moves on from one play to the next and that’s the type of mentality you have to have.”
WARRIORS EMBRACE CHESS MATCH
Finding an answer to Davis is Golden State’s most important task, especially after his fast start – he made nine of his first 10 shots from the field – helped set the tone in the series opener.
“Great rim protector and his shot was going,” Green said. “I felt like he made every one of those mid-rangers he took. You’ve got to live with some of those, but I think we can do a better job individually and collectively taking some of those away.”
Kerr was eager to get his team back into the film room Wednesday to find ways to counter the Lakers’ strengths.
“I think when you start the series, you really have to go through a game to really feel it and watch the tape and figure out what possible adjustments (to make),” Kerr said.
BAMBA SIDELINED
Lakers backup big man Mo Bamba was listed as questionable to play for the second consecutive game because of left ankle soreness. The 7-footer did not play in Game 1.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.