West Notes: Lakers, Anthony Davis, Nuggets, Suns

Lakers

Star big man Anthony Davis said the key to winning Game 2 against the Warriors is not being satisfied. 

Easier said than done, given that the Lakers stole Game 1 on the road.

“Being greedy, not being complacent, not being satisfied,” Davis said, via Elliott Teaford of the Orange County Register. “We know this team can win four straight if they have to. We’ve seen it. We’ve got to be even more locked in on the defensive end knowing that they’re going to come out trying not to go down 0-2, obviously, going back to L.A.”

Coach Darvin Ham added the Lakers also have to avoid getting discouraged when the defending champs go on one of their patented runs.

“You have to have a next-play mentality and be ready to give multiple efforts on the defensive side of the ball continuously throughout a 48-minute game or however long it takes to win the game,” Ham said, via Teaford.

• We have much more on the Lakers’ Game 1 victory right here.

Nuggets

Coach Michael Malone strongly suggested the Nuggets aren’t letting their 2-0 series lead over the Suns go to their heads.

“Everybody was so excited that we’re up 2-0 because the Suns going into the second round were the favorites to come out of the West,” Malone said, via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post. “I don’t want our guys thinking we’ve done anything. All we’ve done is hold serve. We’re supposed to win two games at home. I’m not celebrating. We haven’t done anything yet. You don’t win a series in two games. “My mantra to our players is, ‘We’ll do something if we go down there and win Game 3, all right? Now we’re talking.’”

Guard/forward Bruce Brown added that the Nuggets have to take a similar approach to the road as they did in Denver.

“Obviously, these games on the road are going to be a lot harder than they are at home,” Brown said, via Gabriel. “They’ve got their fans, role players play better at home. We’ve just got to be extremely locked in. We’re not going to get calls. We know how that goes.

“We’ve just got to be ready to play.”

Suns

Shooting guard Devin Booker said the Suns will likely have to replace injured point guard Chris Paul by committee as their series vs. the Nuggets shifts to Phoenix.

“Only time can tell. We’re obviously game planning for it now,” Booker said, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “You can’t replace what Chris brings. He’ll still be there being a leader, being vocal, but the things he does on the court, we’re just going to have to find other ways.”

• We have much more on the Suns, including thoughts from Kevin Durant, right here.