Warriors Bounce Back With Blowout Win Over Lakers

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Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors - Game Two
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter in game two of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 04, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Warriors got their revenge on the Lakers in Game 2.

The Lakers were historic in Game 1 of their second-round series against the Warriors. With Anthony Davis becoming the first Laker to drop a 30-20 since Shaq, the Lakers pulled off a 117-112 victory. The Lakers once again made a statement as they took the lead on yet another higher seed. LeBron and co had already seen off the two-seed Grizzlies.

That left the Warriors in a hole, and with a lot of soul-searching to do. They had played well, putting up 21 threes, but they had let the Lakers slip by them. They needed to lock it down on the backcourt while keeping their volume shooting high. But most importantly, they couldn't fall to 0-2. Not again.

Warriors Rout Lakers By 27

While the Warriors didn't make history with their three-point shooting like in Game 1, it was a key to their victory. Behind Steph and Klay, Golden State shot 21-42 from three. That was combined with holding the Lakers to just 10 makes from beyond the arc. In total, the Splash Brothers combined for 50 points with Klay Thompson leading all scorers with 30 points. The Warriors' defensive efforts were also crucial, putting up 42 defensive rebounds. Overall, Golden State out-rebounded the Lakers by 15. They also won despite the decision to bench Kevin Looney in favor of Jamychal Green to start the game. However, the small-ball approach worked, with Green putting up 15 points in 13 minutes.

The Lakers' attempt to go up 2-0 was led by LeBron and Rui Hachimura. LeBron had a team-high 23 points, while Hachimura added 20 from the bench. Anthony Davis was not able to replicate his Game 1 performance, putting up just 11 points in 33 minutes. The other Lakers starters, Jarred Vanderbilt and Austin Reaves, combined for 13 points. Now it's the Lakers' turn to be on the back foot, striving to find answers on how to bounce back. With the Warriors as deadly as ever from the three-point range, perimeter defense is a must for the Lakers. The Warriors can't be allowed to make 21 threes, let alone attempt 42. The series heads to LA for May 6's Game 3. Be sure to make HotNewHipHop your go-to place for all the latest sports news.

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About The Author
Ben Mock
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.
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