The Golden State Warriors host the Los Angeles Lakers in game two from the Chase Center on Thursday night.
The Lakers extended their success in the series this season, winning on Tuesday to set the tone for the rest of the series. The Warriors understand how important this game is, especially as they prepare for the next move to Los Angeles, while the Lakers will feel good if they can complete the sweep.
Injury Update Golden State Warriors – Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have played the Warriors exceptionally well this season, but there’s little doubt that they’ll want to win their fifth consecutive game against them.
Three of the four victories have come by single digits, but they aren’t afraid of a close game.
The more immediate question is whether they can repeat Tuesday’s performance, especially because they’ll be on the road for the second time in three days.
According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, LeBron James (right foot pain) is expected to play in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
James has been listed as probable for every playoff game thus far, and he is once again on the injury report ahead of Thursday’s Game 2 action.
Despite this, James has handled a full workload in every game, averaging 22.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 37.6 minutes per game.
Making it two in a row will be difficult with a losing record on the road this season, especially in one of the NBA’s toughest settings.
According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, Anthony Davis is expected to play in Game 2 on Thursday due to a right foot stress injury.
Davis has been a fixture on the Lakers’ injury report owing to a nagging foot issue and will be listed as probable once more. Davis, despite this, has yet to miss a playoff game.
Davis has averaging 22.1 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks in 37.4 minutes of playoff action this season.
With a win on Thursday night, the Lakers will have complete control of the series.
For much of the season, injuries were a significant issue for the Lakers, but a recent return to health for key players has proved critical.
Mo Bamba (ankle) is the only player that is currently listed as questionable for this game. His absence should have little effect on how this one goes.
Coming off a grueling series that finished only on Sunday, it’s not surprising that the Warriors struggled to open the game on Tuesday night.
Despite being at home and shooting the ball reasonably well, they still had to overcome a slew of mental blunders.
The goal is that some consistency over the last few days, all of which they have been at home for, will translate into some consistency on the court. The Warriors had one of the finest home records in the NBA entering the postseason, but they’ll have to find a way to overcome the success that Los Angeles has created between the two teams in recent series matchups.
The pressure may be too much for other teams, but after rallying from a 2-0 disadvantage in the previous series, this is an experienced club that knows how to roll with the punches.
In Game 1, Stephen Curry had 27 points (10-24 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Curry shot well from deep, but struggled within the arc, because to the presence of Anthony Davis.
Golden State has lost home-court advantage and is in danger of falling behind 2-0 for the second time in a row, so Curry is expected to be aggressive early and often in Game 2 on Thursday, though the Warriors will likely need more production from the supporting cast if they hope to win one at home before the series shifts to Los Angeles.
Avoiding significant injuries has been critical to Golden State’s recent success, and while they will most certainly be missing three players on Thursday night, none of the absences will be fatal.
Ryan Rollins (foot) and Andre Iguodala (wrist) are out, and Patrick Baldwin Jr. (toe) is doubtful. Even without these three, Golden State should be able to roll.
