In the crucial fifth game, Kerr still used the starting lineup of the previous game, and Payton Jr. continued to start. On the one hand, it is because after Cole has changed formations continuously, there are not many cards left in his hand; On the one hand, the Warriors believe that losing the fourth game is more because of Walker's unexpected factor.
Although the lineup has not changed, the Warriors started today with a different start than the previous four games, and others will resolutely attack as long as they are empty. Chase opened the series with the first pouting three-pointer, and then Payton Jr. responded to his release. But the Lakers' defensive strategy is still to let these people go, as long as Curry doesn't open it, everything is good to say.
The Warriors also figured out that the pace of the game should be accelerated, and the slow pace is what the Lakers like. So in the opening game, Chase Dream pouted his ass and pushed forward when he asked for the ball from the backcourt, and the Warriors attacked at every opportunity, trying to get both sides running as much as possible.
In the first quarter, the Warriors basically made three points, 7-of-12, one from each of the starting five, plus two from Moody. The Lakers only made 1 of 5 from three-point range, and the only one was Reeves' rebound three-pointer, but the Lakers trailed by only 4 points in the first quarter.
This game feels similar to the first game, the Warriors three separated, and the Lakers still have a large inside advantage. In response, Kerr added Rooney's playing time today, and the Warriors finally had the round of Rooney grabbing offensive rebounds and shooting three-pointers.
The Warriors shot 11-of-21 three-pointers at the half, with the Lakers trailing by 11. In the third quarter, the Warriors' three-point sense plummeted, shooting 0 of 9 in a single quarter, but the Lakers still trailed by 11 points after the third quarter. For today's Lakers, the defensive intensity is clearly not at a "you die, I live" level.
James, who was almost full in the first half, rarely had the ball after returning from the second half. The Lakers tried some new defensive strategies in the second half, such as using unlimited defense after blocking, but obviously the Lakers' defensive resources at this stage are not suitable for unlimited defense. For example, Walker played a lot of rounds with the ball today, and Hamm tried a lot of new things in this game.
For example, after the thick eyebrows returned to the locker room, Hamm replaced the Super Death Five, and James played center with a back four. This change is of course passive, and in the end, with the thick eyebrow injury, it is not a surprise that the Lakers lost this game.
The turning point of the game and even the turning point of the entire series is, of course, this injury to the thick eyebrows. As mentioned earlier, the Warriors increased Rooney's playing time this time in order to add strength to thick eyebrows.
What objectively happened was that Rooney hit Thick Eyebrow's temple with an elbow, and Thick Eyebrow immediately felt dizzy and could no longer hold on to the game. Whether Rooney's elbow was intentional or not, Thick Eyebrows left the game early, and even needed to use a wheelchair after the game. Adults do things regardless of their hearts, and how they judge each person has a scale in their hearts.
Losing Game 5 on the road is acceptable for the Lakers, and their signs and intensity of the game today prove that they didn't take this battle as a life or death battle. But if thick eyebrows are diagnosed with a concussion, then the real end of the Lakers is coming.
The NBA has strict concussion protection protocols, and if a player is suspected of having a concussion, the player should be evaluated in a quiet place. Even if the assessment is normal this time, it needs to be evaluated again before the next game or training session, and everything is normal before the player is allowed to participate in the game and training.
If the player shows any signs of concussion, he or she will be banned from all training, matches and contact with crowds. If thick eyebrows are diagnosed with concussion, it will take at least a few days to recover, and G6 and G7 will most likely not be hit.
If the NBA's "Spring Festival Gala" becomes flavored because of this injury of thick eyebrows, it will be a pity.