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Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from big Game 5 of 2019 NBA Finals

By Daniel Lubofsky

TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after Game Five of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on June 10, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 10: Stephen Curry #30 and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after Game Five of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors on June 10, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. DeMarcus Cousins comes up big when needed

After a breakout performance in Game 2, DeMarcus Cousins struggled to find a rhythm in the friendly confines of Oracle Arena. The former All-Star big man shot just 30.8 percent from the field on his way to 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.1 minutes a night.

The necessity of Boogie appeared to diminish with the return of Kevin Durant. That would last less than a half of basketball after KD re-injured his leg, prompting Golden State to require more from a man still working his way back from two major injuries.

In 19 minutes off the bench, Cousins would answer the bell in helping his team to a crucial victory. He scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and hauled in six total rebounds as well. Each was one of those points was desperately needed for a team looking for offense in any place it could find it.

When the Warriors brought in Cousins just last summer, they weren’t looking to feature him heavily in their offense. He was still rehabbing from an Achilles tear suffered the previous January, while Golden State certainly wasn’t lacking in the slightest at the offensive end without him. Boogie was a luxury more than anything else.

Things have clearly changed since that moment. The Dubs are pieced together by duct tape at nearly every position and are fighting desperately to keep their visions of a three-peat alive. To do that, they’ll need more contributions across the board, starting with the man whose value to the team couldn’t have been predicted just a few months ago.

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