The Los Angeles Lakers are one win away from closing the collection, and beneath regular circumstances, that will be the one goal that issues. End the job, keep away from pointless danger, and transfer on as shortly as attainable, particularly after constructing a 3-0 lead with out Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Nevertheless, this example is just not regular, and the context surrounding it’s starting to form selections in a approach that goes past a single recreation. As a result of what occurred in Recreation 4 raised extra questions than it answered.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder would be the Lakers’ second-round opponent
If the Lakers shut out the collection, they’re heading straight right into a matchup with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (they simply received the collection in opposition to the Suns), a group that has regarded dominant all through the season and one which presents a very completely different stage of problem.
With out Dončić and Reaves absolutely wholesome, that collection borders on unwinnable. Their projected return timeline aligns with the top of an extended first spherical or the start of the second, which suggests timing abruptly turns into important.
The official second-round begin date is Could 4, nevertheless it might transfer as much as Could 2 or 3 relying on how shortly the first-round collection ends, and people further days might decide whether or not the Lakers enter that matchup complete or nonetheless incomplete. In that gentle, one recreation begins to hold way more weight than ordinary.
Recreation 4 of Lakers and Rockets didn’t appear to be a traditional loss
After going up 3-0, head coach JJ Redick decided that stood out instantly. He gave prolonged minutes to a number of the impossible gamers within the rotation, shifting away from the tighter construction that had outlined the primary three wins.
The consequence was not a detailed loss or a recreation that slipped away late +
however a 20-point defeat that felt unusually one-sided for a group that had managed the collection so convincingly. That’s what makes it troublesome to disregard.
Groups hardly ever lose like that in Recreation 4 after taking a 3-0 lead, particularly not with out a clear aggressive push. Dropping to 3-1 in that method doesn’t simply occur accidentally. It raises the query of whether or not priorities in that recreation have been completely different from the earlier three.
A harmful gamble within the NBA playoffs for extra time
The concept is uncomfortable, nevertheless it exists. Extending the collection, even by one or two video games, might purchase the Lakers the precise time they should get Dončić and Reaves again at a significant stage.
Did they lose on goal? The Lakeshow Podcast mentioned this attainable conspiracy principle. However in case you look nearer at it, the loss is sensible. An extended first spherical might considerably enhance their probabilities in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis. On the similar time, the danger is apparent.
As soon as a collection extends, management is now not assured. Momentum can shift, opponents alter, and what regarded like a safe 3-0 lead can shortly change into unstable. The Lakers wouldn’t simply be buying and selling time for restoration; they might be opening the door to a collection that now not follows the anticipated script.
The Lakers have already seen how a lot one recreation can matter. Successful their last regular-season recreation secured the No. 3 seed, gave them home-court benefit, and performed a direct function in how they have been capable of take management of this collection early.
Now they’re dealing with one other second the place a single recreation might form every thing that follows.
In the event that they imagine their solely lifelike probability in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis is dependent upon being absolutely wholesome, then the temptation to purchase time shall be sturdy, even when it carries vital danger.
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