LeBron James is being urged to treat Game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs against the Houston Rockets like a “chess match,” dictating the offense and closing out the first round.
This assessment from a four-time NBA champion followed the Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-96 Game 4 loss. Los Angeles, which entered the matchup with a 3-0 lead, deviated from its half-court offense and let Houston ramp up the pace, extending the series.
Draymond Green Details Blueprint for LeBron James, Lakers to Close Out Game 5
Previewing the playoff matchups in the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said that James was replicating the possession control he used during the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.
“What Bron is doing in this series, if you remember, in 2018, they were down 3-2 versus Boston. And this is a young Jayson Tatum. This is a young Jaylen Brown. Bron walked those guys down…He walked the ball up the corner every play unless they had a transition opportunity to get a layup. Other than that, he walked the ball up every play… That’s what they’ve been doing. ”
Claiming that this deliberate approach was the key for the Lakers, Green stated, “That’s what Bron’s going to have to do in Game 5 to close this series out…He’s going to have to man the game, get every possession for them that he wants, because I don’t think the Rockets have anyone on their team that can play chess with Bron… The guy on their team that can play the chess match is Fred [VanVleet]. He’s not out there.”
“It has to be a chess match,” Green further declared. “Once again, Game 4 wasn’t really chess; it was checkers. Got to turn it back in chess so he can outthink those guys. Get the Lakers any shot they want. They’re at home. Role players play better at home.”
Pointing out Kevin Durant’s unavailability as one factor that swung the series the Lakers’ way, Green predicted, “Unfortunately for this Rockets team, they don’t have a healthy KD, and I think it’s going to be tough. I think this series is over in five.”
Returning to Crypto.com Arena will be the perfect moment for the Lakers to regain their momentum. The longer they stay in the playoffs, the closer they get to having Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić back.
If there is one thing head coach JJ Redick’s team cannot afford to do, it is to drag this series back to Houston for a treacherous Game 6.
