On January 3, the Lakers played against the Timberwolves, and when the rebound was grabbed by the Timberwolves, Lakers coach Vogel resisted the urge to play a traditional center to defend Naz Reid. At the crucial moment of the game, Vogel still trusted the five small lineups, and used the one specially used to end the game, and once again achieved good results.
The Lakers started the five small teams of Westbrook, Bradley, Munch, Stanley Johnson and James, while the Lakers' five small lineups to end the game were Westbrook, Bradley, Munch, Anthony and James. The difference is to replace Stanley Johnson with Anthony.
In this game, the Lakers used the ultimate five to play the most critical time period, the game has 3 minutes and 07 seconds left to the game time is 45 seconds left, the Lakers withstood the impact of the Timberwolves, the plus-minus of this time is +2, so that the Lakers 107 to 100 lead by 7 points, so that the game lost suspense. Later, considering the defense, Vogel replaced Anthony with Stanley Johnson.
Anthony scored nine points in the final quarter of the game, breaking out again in the final quarter. The Lakers now play the five small lineups, the starting five and the ultimate five are Vogel's weapons.
The Lakers' ultimate five small efficiency value is very high, this season in a total of 5 games to use this lineup, achieved a 4-1 record, offensive efficiency value of 113.3, defensive efficiency of 85.7, net efficiency value of +27.6, that is, the 100 rounds of the Lakers won 27.6 points.
The Lakers' performance in the starting five is not bad now, with a 3-1 record in 4 games, an offensive efficiency value of 129.3, a defensive efficiency of 115.8, and a net efficiency of +13.5, that is, 13.5 points won per 100 rounds.
The Lakers have finally started bouncing back recently, and coach Vogel will continue to use the five-small lineup. In this game, the Lakers rebounding was destroyed, losing 28-56 to the Timberwolves, including a 4-20 loss for offensive rebounds. "I still have to resist the urge to re-use the traditional center to defend Reid, and we still have to lose rebounds when we send in a bigger lineup." Vogel said.
In this game, although the Lakers lost rebounds, they had 14 steals, the Timberwolves had 23 turnovers, and the ultimate five small lineups were very powerful, or won the game. Anthony scored 14 points in this game, plus-minus of the game-high +11, and he is still worthy of the Lakers' trust at key moments.