LOS ANGELES — The Brooklyn Nets had a historic run to the NBA Finals, but their hopes of repeating their stunning opening game victory against the Los Angeles Lakers were dashed in Game 2. The Lakers dominated the Nets, outplaying them in every aspect of the game and evened the series at one game apiece.
The Lakers' star player, LeBron James, had a solid game, scoring 36 points on 22 attempts. But it wasn't just his performance that made the difference. Los Angeles' depth was on full display, with players like Anthony Davis (28 points), Russell Westbrook (21 points), and Malik Beasley (19 points) all contributing significantly.
Defensively, the Lakers made Brooklyn star guard Kyrie Irving largely invisible for the first three quarters, using a variety of defenders to keep him out of the paint. The Lakers' constant defensive movement and attention to detail also blunted the Nets' ability to drive and shoot beyond the 3-point line.
The Lakers' size and versatility also helped them contain one of Brooklyn's most reliable plays, the pick-and-roll. For the first time in the series, Los Angeles played both of its big men, Davis and Dwight Howard, together for five minutes, and outscored Brooklyn by six points.
Coach Frank Vogel praised his team's execution and decision-making in all areas of the game, saying they were "a tick forward" in all those areas compared to Game 1.
The series is now tied at one game apiece, and both teams will look to gain the upper hand in Game 3. The Lakers' depth and versatility give them a significant advantage, but the Nets will need to find a way to break down the Lakers' swarm mentality if they want to level the series.
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The Lakers' young roster, with an average age of 26, has proven to be a quick learner and has now won 13 of their last 15 games. If they can continue to play at this level, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the NBA Finals.
