Back at Chase Center with their backs to the wall, the Warriors start the game with the Crocs. Like a Draymond Green wound up like a pendulum, they limit the Lakers to 5 points in the first five minutes and make 4/6 from afar to drive the point home (17-5) The Lakers, however, take advantage of Green’s outings , Andrew Wiggins, and Gary Payton II to punish the Warriors and finish the quarter 23-15, trailing 13 points from Anthony Davis to stay in ambush (32-28).
Two award-winning shots and two layups from LeBron James and Dennis Schröder put LA in front (45-42). Steve Kerr then raises his starting five and the Warriors respond with an 8-2 with Curry in charge and the Green – Wiggins duo finishing. LeBron James and Anthony Davis respond, but Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Jordan Poole throw a layer to throw a 16-5, ended by two 3-pointers from Thompson and Curry (70-59). The House Chef’s buzzer basket capsizes the room.
After conceding 16 points on their 8 lost balls in the first half, the Lakers lost two new balls in less than three minutes to start the third quarter, and the Warriors jumped at the chance to inflict a 9-2 on them and take off (79-61). Darvin Ham then opt for a defense that switches on all screens. The Warriors lose their address (0/9 to 3-points in the period), and the Lakers slowly but surely grab their delay (93-82).
Warriors slow to kill game
While the Lakers push to doubt the Warriors and the Chase Center, it is Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins, still as aggressive, who breathe new life into their team (102-88). The Dubs however fall back into their ways, chaining questionable decision-making and a 3-pointer from Reaves brings the Lakers back below the ten-point mark (104-95).
As Anthony Davis, shot in the face, leaves his teammates, Steve Kerr finds the ultimate adjustment: let Stephen Curry attack Austin Reaves in one-on-one rather than playing pick and roll. The All-Star point guard scores 7 straight to force Darvin Ham to raise the white flag. As in the previous round, the Lakers will try to finish the job at home in Game 6.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The Dubs find their address to start the match. After the first four games, the Warriors were 44 percent 3-pointers at Chase Center and 29 percent at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Back on their floor, Steve Kerr’s men immediately found their address from afar. They started the match with a 7/12 from a distance in the first quarter, and followed up with a 4/9, to reach a beautiful 11/21 at the break. All with a Stephen Curry at 2/6! At halftime, seven Golden State players had at least one award-winning shot.
— Both tusks take out the warm-up blue. After a frenzied first half with diabolical skill on both sides (54% for Golden State, 57% for the Lakers), the two defenses took matters into their own hands after the break. The Lakers switched to all screens to turn off the Warriors (2/14 to 3-pointers). The Warriors upped their intensity, limiting the Lakers to 40% success. Both teams caused 14 balls and each scored 20 points on opposing blunders. Late in the game, it took all of Stephen Curry’s genius to keep Golden State from getting scared.
— The second knives of Golden State respond present. Stephen Curry had been phenomenal in Game 4 but too lonely. This time, the Warriors were able to count on a collective effort at all times. Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, whom the Warriors have been looking for much more, were aggressive towards the circle all game and both finished at 20 and 25 points. Gary Payton II was helpful in his role. Jordan Poole was not sparkling but brought a plus on short sequences. The other Warriors will need to get up to speed in Los Angeles to hope to force a Game 7.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Stephen Curry. The Warriors point guard started as a maestro with 6 of his 8 assists in the first half, before turning into a scorer for 15 of his 27 points in the second half, including 9 in the final quarter.
✅ Draymond Green – Andrew Wiggins. The two players gave the exchange on both sides of the field in the first quarter. Green finished in a double-double (20 points, 10 rebounds), while Wiggins added 25 points. Both players also led the surge of the Warriors defense in the second half.
✅ LeBron James – Anthony Davis. The two Lakers stars caused fear at Chase Center, scoring 17 and 18 points in the first half. They went downhill after the break, scoring only 8 and 5 points. Davis had to leave the game four minutes from time.
⛔ Klay Thompson. The Splash Brother continues its way of the cross. He only scored 10 points at 3/12 on shots and suffered in defense against the cunning of Austin Reaves. Is “Game 6 Klay” able to reverse the trend?
THE FOLLOWING
Game 6 in Los Angeles on the night of Friday to Saturday (04:00).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
