The Los Angeles Lakers change the complexity of a series with one performance.
After their Game 1 loss to the Phoenix Suns, their chances at making a long run in the NBA Playoffs didn’t look promising for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Lakers did a great job by bouncing back in Game 2 to tie the series at 1-1.
In fact, the Lakers didn’t just tie the series at 1-1, but they also effectively stole homecourt advantage and did what they needed to do during the first two games on the road. In just one game, it’s amazing how the complexity of a series can change.
Even though the Lakers won Game 2, I don’t think anyone anticipates them reeling off four-straight to gentleman sweep the Suns. One thing that is sure, though, is that the Lakers aren’t going out quietly.
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The Los Angeles Lakers flashed championship potential in Game 2
From the opening tip, the Lakers maintained control of the game over the Suns. LeBron and Anthony Davis both bounced back in a huge way as they combined for 57 points, 16 assists, and 14 rebounds on 52 percent shooting from the field and 46 percent shooting from 3-point range.
What stood out most was the fact that Davis was much more aggressive than he was in Game 1; he went to the free-throw line 21 times and was a factor on the boards this time around. That was not the case in Game 1, in which he only went to the free-throw line five times.
The Lakers’ defense was once again locked in as they held the Suns under their regular-season average. In fact, through two games, the Suns are only averaging 101 points per game – 14 points under their regular-season average.
But, and for much of the season too, the Lakers’ defense has never really been the big issue. Instead, it’s been their unstable offense due to the injuries of LeBron and AD. At least in Game 2, both looked like better versions of what we saw in Game 1.
Los Angeles overall looked a bit more like their championship selves. And that has changed the entire outlook of this series. In Game 1, Davis looked like a shell of himself, LeBron looked a bit hobbled, and the team’s supporting cast simply didn’t come through.
That all changed in Game 2 when the Lakers needed it most. With Los Angeles back in the driver’s seat in the series, it’ll be interesting to see what transpires as the series shifts to Los Angeles.
The Lakers did what they needed to do. All they needed to do was to steal on in Phoenix. They effectively did just that in Game 2. Now, and despite being the lower-seeded team, the Lakers are expected to win this series.
And with the way LeBron, AD, and the defending champs looked in Game 2, in addition to the looming injury that’s clearly limiting Chris Paul, who’s going to doubt them in the rest of this first-round series?