Thursday, May 9, 2013

Klay Thompson shoots the Warriors past the Spurs to win Game 2, even the series - NBCSports.com



In many ways, Game 2 between the Warriors and the Spurs was similar to Game 1. Golden State got out to a large lead behind one of its guards shooting the lights out, and San Antonio was stuck playing from behind the rest of the way.

The first game of the series saw the Spurs go on an incredible late run to erase their opponent's early success, and they were able to pull it out after more than one overtime session. There would be no such heroics on this night, as the Warriors held off San Antonio 100-91 to steal home court advantage and even the series at a game apiece.

In Game 1, Stephen Curry was the one doing the damage for the Warriors. But after a decent first half in Game 2, he was largely held in check the rest of the night.

Klay Thompson was the killer for Golden State from the very start, pouring in 29 first half points while knocking down seven of his eight attempts from three-point distance. The Warriors built a lead of 19 points by halftime on the strength of Thompson's hot hand, and unlike the first game of the series, were able to get just enough in the second half to keep the Spurs at bay.

Thompson finished with a game high 34 points and 14 rebounds, on 13-of-26 shooting, including 8-of-9 from beyond the three-point arc. He also did an excellent job defensively in helping to limit Tony Parker, who finished just 7-of-17 from the field with 20 points. Thompson fouled out near the end of regulation in Game 1 just before the Spurs embarked on their huge comeback, and his defense was sorely missed.

The Warriors cooled considerably in the second half, as Thompson and Curry combined to shoot 5-of-19 from the field over the game's final two periods. The Spurs once again made a run, and twice cut the lead to six in the fourth quarter. But despite the overall low shooting percentage that Golden State suffered through in the second half, the team managed to find an answer offensively each time '� first with a three from Draymond Green, and later with an incredible scoop shot finger roll from Curry with under four minutes to play that extended his team's lead back to eight.

San Antonio tried to shoot their way back into it quickly from distance, yet managed to connect on just five of its 14 second half attempts from three-point range.

There are a lot of positives the Warriors will take with them back home to Oracle Arena for the next two games. They were able to get both of their guards going separately in each of the first two games, and they showed maturity in Game 2 by not collapsing again as they had in Game 1 of the series.

For the Spurs, the lesson is clear. If you let Curry or Thompson get loose early, they'll torch you for a big performance that will be extremely difficult to stop. Both Mark Jackson and Gregg Popovich had their own take on the Warriors' stellar shooters after this one.

'I thought it was polite of them to at least take turns and not both be on fire on the same night,' Popovich joked.

Jackson, however, was much more proud in praise of his guys.

'I've said, I've got the greatest shooting backcourt that's ever played the game,' Jackson said. 'Call my bluff.'

The Spurs would be wise not to do that for the remainder of this series.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEvARBNxFC_PFsxep0ZHQhPEg-LHg&url=http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/09/klay-thompson-shoots-the-warriors-past-the-spurs-to-win-game-2-even-the-series/



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