Golden State Warriors: 5 Keys To Game 6 vs. Thunder

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May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) controls the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), center Andrew Bogut (12), forward Draymond Green (23), and guard Stephen Curry (30) defend during the first quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Go Big Or Go Home

Head coach Steve Kerr teased some adjustments prior to Game 5, and though playing Anderson Varejao over Festus Ezeli was a pretty questionable one, his decision to keep Andrew Bogut in the game rather than resort to the Lineup of Death was the difference.

Bogut was the X-factor in Game 5, not only because he finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 30 minutes (ALL series highs), but also because his presence in the paint helped keep OKC’s drivers and offensive rebounding at bay.

With a pack-the-paint kind of defensive strategy, the Warriors limited the penetration of Durant and Westbrook that had been killing the Dubs in the four games prior. And when the Thunder did get to the basket, Bogut and Draymond Green were excellent at altering or blocking shots without fouling.

Getting two early fouls on Steven Adams definitely helped, but with Green honing in on doing what got him his big break in the first place, not to mention Kerr rarely playing the small-ball lineup that was ravaged by OKC’s Lineup of Death, the Warriors took away one of their opponent’s biggest advantages.

That trend has to continue in Game 6. Bogut has to be able to handle 30+ minutes again and still be able to neutralize Adams, who has dominated him in this series.

He and Ezeli (who should hopefully get more minutes than Varejao this time) also have to stay out of foul trouble, pack the paint, and prevent OKC’s dynamic off-the-dribble attack from dominating the proceedings.

Next: No. 1

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