After losing 127-97 to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Golden State Warriors are in a dire spot going into Game 4 on Monday.
Head coach Steve Kerr said that this is not a must-win game, but it is a virtual victory, as they do not want to be trailing 3–1 in the series.
For the second time this series, Kerr has made changes to his starting lineup, as guard Gary Payton II will reportedly start alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins.
JUST IN: Golden State Warriors expected to initiate lineup change in Game 4 vs. Los Angeles Lakers: pic.twitter.com/jKbUc2KaYP
Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 8, 2023
After Golden State lost Game 1, Kevon Looney was moved to the bench in favor of forward JaMichael Green, and it seemed to work, as they took Game 2 by a large margin.
He also neutralized Anthony Davis in that contest – he was monstrous in Game 1 but managed only 11 points on 11 shot attempts in Game 2.
However, Davis came back in a big way on Saturday with 25 points, 13 rebounds, four blocked shots and three steals.
He appears to be a force to be reckoned with for Los Angeles, and if he goes again, the Warriors will be in trouble.
With Payton in the lineup, maybe they’ll be able to beat the Lakers from the 3-point line and in transition, like they did in Game 2.
Kerr will be hoping for a repeat of the magic he had in Game 4 of the 2015 NBA Finals, when he inserted Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup after falling 2-1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who, like the Lakers, possessed a superstar. Lebron james name.
Golden State took the next three games of that series and claimed their first world championship of the Curry era.
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Nick Wright Has Clear Concerns About The Warriors In The Playoffs