Golden State Warriors: 5 Keys For Game 6 vs. Cavaliers
1. Start The Death Lineup
This is a no-brainer. With Bogut done for the rest of the season, Festus Ezeli having struggled throughout the postseason and Anderson Varejao still being Anderson Varejao, it’s time for Steve Kerr to finally, fully unleash the Death Lineup.
More than likely, Kerr would’ve gone with the patented Curry-Thompson-Harrison Barnes-Andre Iguodala-Draymond Green lineup to start Game 5 if Green had been available. Now that Green is back from a costly one-game suspension and Bogut is out, there should be a sense of urgency heading into Game 6.
The numbers with Draymond Green at center are telling (the Warriors are now a -39 in 159 minutes for any lineups not featuring Green at the 5), and frankly, the time has come for Golden State to stop playing with its food and finish the meal already.
GSW in Finals: With Draymond at C: 81 minutes, +53. All other lineups: 111 minutes, -24.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 11, 2016
There’s no better way to respond to a sense of urgency than starting the Death Lineup that blitzed opponents for a +166 plus/minus in 172 minutes together during the regular season.
It may have looked vulnerable against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, but that was a dangerous squad teeming with length, athleticism and versatility in the right spots to match Golden State’s small-ball unit.
The Cavaliers don’t have that same luxury, even if Tristan Thompson has defended well on the perimeter switching pick-and-rolls. If the Cavs start Kevin Love — which Tyronn Lue has said he will — there is no excuse for the Warriors to NOT start to Death Lineup and hammer Cleveland right from the jump.
BTW, the Love question isn't going anywhere for Cleveland. GSW probably starts Death Lineup Thursday. He shouldn't be on the floor vs them.
— Ben Dowsett (@Ben_Dowsett) June 14, 2016
Starting the small-ball unit takes a toll on Golden State’s depth, but the loss of Bogut does that anyway. Sure, Kerr might have to ride those starters plus Shaun Livingston for heavy minutes in Game 6, but guess what? This could be the last game of the season. Now is not the time to hold back.
If the bench comes out sloppy again, Kerr will seriously need to consider riding that small-ball lineup for 20+ minutes, with at least 40+ going to Curry, Thompson, Green and Iggy.
More hoops habit: Golden State Warriors: 5 Takeaways From Game 5
It may shorten the rotation and put a heavy strain on the starters, but a championship could be waiting on the other end as a reward for one Death-heavy performance.