Maybe that could slowly help shrink the racial gap culturally. Slow and steady wins the race. Tortoise beats the hare everytime.
5 Things: Lakers Stymie Suns to tie series at 1-1
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May 26, 2021 3 Comments
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What was interesting about this game was that it was a 93-92 Lakers lead with 3:40 left when Marc Gasol passed a wide open three and the Lakers got a 24-second violation turnover.
Frank then removed Gasol and went big with AD at the five. What happened next is a 7-0 run where AD at the five shut down the next three Suns possessions with an AD block, Booker miss on challenged 15 footer, and Payne turnover strip off knee.
Meanwhile, LeBron sunk a 1-foot fadeaway, AD splashed a dagger three, and then AD sank a pair of free-throws and Lakers turned 1-point lead into insurmountable 8-point lead in 1:40 minutes and just 2 minutes left in game.
It’s apparent from Vogel’s moves that the Lakers want to minimize AD minutes at the 5 even though that was the key to winning the championship last season. The big question is will AD playing fewer minutes at the 5 continue to be the plan. Right now, that looks to be the game plan. We’ll see if that changes.
Bottom line, AD at the 5 defense and LeBron and AD from deep is how the Lakers won this game.
Great win. Good to see the turnovers trimming down a little bit. I like the idea of keeping AD fresh at the end of the game. That’s why your take on the centers was on point. The bench needs to fix whatever is ailing them, and Schroeder needs to continue to be on the attack more without the turnovers. Great post as always, Jamie.
Excellent fiver Jamie. I’ll echo you and Buba that limiting the turnovers was very impressive. Lakers will be extremely tough to beat when they commit only 7 turnovers.
Agree LT that AD as the closer really unleashed the Lakers defense. That’s a good use of him at the 5 vs. Phoenix…closing the half and the game if necessary. I do believe at some point he’ll need to play more minutes at the five, but hopefully we can save that for down the road to keep him fresh as possible.