Before the Warriors got on the bus to Sacramento, coach Kerr insisted to media that they were a different team now. After the fifth game victory in Sacramento, he said that we'd just witnessed the return of the championship Warriors.
The Warriors experience was one edge over the Kings youthful athleticism. Along with the tight, precise game they played, the Warriors had an array of heroes. Steph Curry (31 points) and Klay Thompson (25) scored at key moments. Draymond Green added his first 20 point game in the playoffs since 2019 to his defense and passing wizardry (again coming off the bench.) Gary Payton II provided important minutes on both sides of the ball, and once again Andrew Wiggins was a rock, an anchor on both sides as well. But the key to the game may well have once again been Kevon Looney, with his career high 22 rebounds, the only player but two in history to tool two 20 plus rebound games in the same playoff series.
Now the Warriors, riding high expectations once again, must put this away with a 6th game at home on Friday. They found the formula. They know what to do now. Klay Thompson doesn't have to become "6th Game Klay"--those outlandish performances usually came when the Dubs were behind in the series anyway. Magic Johnson is on the record predicting certain victory. But it will still take the intensity that won the past three games.
As the Warriors game ends, the Lakers take on Memphis, also leading the series 3-2. If they both win, their matchup in the second round is set. Everything is settled in the East now: Miami plays the Knicks, but the winner of the Boston-Philadelphia series will be the likely favorite to win the East.
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