It’s amazing what 48 hours can change. After Game 5 and Golden State’s masterful victory, the Warriors of yesteryear seemed to be back. Still able to take at least one away game, like every series for 10 years.
Two days later, it was the Kings, with their lack of experience pointed out after Game 5, who achieved what few people outside of Sacramento thought they could do. Not only beat Golden State at the Chase Center, where they remained on 18 wins in the last 20 games, but do it in authoritative fashion by 19 points!
Because it is a feat that the Kings have achieved. Since 2013, the Warriors had only lost three times at home when lucky enough to end a series. In Game 5 and 7 of the famous 2016 Finals against Cleveland, and in Game 5 of the first round in 2019 against the Clippers.
To imitate the Cavaliers and the Clippers, the Kings have again become the most aggressive team and Mike Brown has altered his rotation, opting for the “small ball”.
play harder
When the playoffs arrive, the tactics of the two coaches are scrutinized. What are their pick & roll defenses? Which player to target in defense? How to limit counter-attacks? The list goes on, but the most underrated adjustment is simply to play harder. The team that wants the most has a substantial advantage which usually influences how the referees call the game. The most aggressive team always gets the benefit of the doubt.
“That’s the difference in this series,” admitted Kevin Huerter after the meeting. “If you look at the games we won, and the games they won, it was always decided by the games within the game. Offensive rebounds, lost balls, points on lost balls. The little things that make the difference. »
The Kings grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, including 9 in the first quarter, to set the tone. They scored 18 points on those second chances. 10 more than their opponents. They forced 19 loose balls and scored 23 points, 6 more than Golden State. It gave them 14 more shots than the Warriors, a colossal advantage.
“18 offensive rebounds, 19 lost balls for 23 points… But it’s deserved they went looking for them,” analyzed a closed-faced Steve Kerr. “They went for them thanks to their defense. We were not rigorous in these two areas and we paid cash. »
The controlled racket
The Kings’ defense had been singled out after Game 5. The Warriors had constantly punished them in the key, finishing the game there 30/41 on shots (73%). Last night, the Kings were much more active, much more aggressive and precise in their defensive rotations. They were ready to defend their circle, countering the Warriors 8 times and intercepting 10 balls, including several passes in the short corner for Kevon Looney, Andrew Wiggins, and Gary Payton II. The Warriors have scored just 22 of their 47 attempts inside the key (47%).
“They were the aggressor from the start of the game,” conceded Steve Kerr. “They put a lot of pressure on us and we couldn’t respond. We only had 8 assists at halftime. We never found our rhythm. We never got into our game. »
Kings’ ‘small ball’ creates space on half court
Kevon Looney, Draymond Green, and the Golden State defense had managed until tonight to slow down the league’s best offense by ignoring Domantas Sabonis when he is high post to eliminate Sacramento’s devastating hand to hand .
Mike Brown and his staff responded by playing with a single inside, giving Alex Len minutes to Trey Lyles, and surrounding De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk with 3 shooters for 48 minutes. This adjustment created more space for Fox and Monk, their two main creators, and put Kevon Looney and Draymond Green in trouble by forcing them out of the racket. Even with Domantas Sabonis on the pitch, Brown often positioned him in the corner to make his protection from the circle much more binding.
“They were better coached”
“It was a great adjustment from Mike (Brown), it allowed them to open the game,” conceded Steve Kerr. “Our defense couldn’t respond to this new challenge and they were able to generate pace and better shots. They made 17 3-pointers, the best total in the series. The Kings have played better, been coached better, and they deserve their victory. It’s that simple. »
Fox and Monk have been attacking the circle since the beginning of the series but tonight they were even more under control. Despite 20 stray balls, they were more serene once in the racket to either score or find their shooters. The entry of Trey Lyles in particular caused a lot of problems for the Warriors, especially with Draymond Green three fouls down in the first half.
An Anti-Looney Plan
“In our staff, everyone was on the same wavelength, we wanted to give a chance to Trey (Lyles) but more than anything we wanted to keep shooters on the ground at all times, attack the racket, and make the ‘extra pass,’ explained Mike Brown. ” Looney has been kicking our ass since the beginning of the series, we had to find a way to minimize his impact. »
The Kings followed this new game plan to the letter and at the same time finished at +8 in the key, +21 in three points, and +5 in assists. An unchallenged domination that De’Aaron Fox summed up with the same authority after the match.
“We wanted to strike first, second, third, and strike last, and we were able to do that. Especially with the beat we set. I have the feeling that we controlled the whole game tonight. From start to finish, it was probably our best game of the season. »
The ball is now in the Warriors’ court.
Interview in San Francisco.
