Tunisia World Cup
As I sit here watching the replay of Game 4 between the Lakers and Warriors, I can't help but feel that familiar playoff tension building. The series stands at 2-2, and honestly, I've been in this exact situation before—both as a former college basketball player and now as someone who's analyzed hundreds of playoff games. The Lakers have shown flashes of brilliance, but the Warriors' resilience is something I've come to respect over the years. When I heard Calvin Abueva's quote about having another chance to return to a similar situation, it struck me how perfectly it applies to this series. "May pagkakataon pa naman na bumalik tayo sa ganung sitwasyon, di ba? Na ganun ang standing. Pero trabaho talaga eh," he said, which roughly translates to having another opportunity to face the same circumstances, but ultimately, it's about getting the job done. That mindset is exactly what both teams need heading into Game 5.
Looking at the key matchups, I'm particularly fascinated by the Anthony Davis versus Draymond Green battle. In Game 4, Davis put up 23 points and 15 rebounds, but Green's defensive intensity limited him to just 38% shooting in the paint. From my experience, when two elite defenders like these face off, it often comes down to who can disrupt the other's rhythm without fouling out. I remember covering their previous playoff encounters—Green tends to get under Davis' skin, and if the Lakers want to win, Davis needs to stay composed and attack the rim aggressively. On the other hand, Stephen Curry's performance has been stellar, averaging 31.2 points per game this series, but I've noticed he's been turnover-prone against Austin Reaves' pesky defense. Reaves might not have the stats to show for it—just 1.2 steals per game—but his effort in disrupting Curry's flow has been crucial. If the Lakers can force Curry into 4-5 turnovers again, like in Game 2, they'll have a real shot.
Then there's LeBron James, who, at 38 years old, is still putting up historic numbers. He's averaging 24.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in this series, but what stands out to me is his leadership in clutch moments. I've followed his career since his Miami days, and his ability to elevate his game in elimination scenarios is unmatched. However, the Warriors have Andrew Wiggins, who's been surprisingly effective in containing LeBron. Wiggins held James to just 40% shooting when matched up one-on-one in Game 4, and if that continues, the Lakers might struggle to find scoring options beyond their stars. Personally, I think the Lakers need to involve role players like D'Angelo Russell more—he's shooting 42% from three this postseason but only attempted 12 shots in the last game. That's a missed opportunity, and as someone who's coached at the amateur level, I'd urge Darvin Ham to draw up more plays for him.
The Warriors, though, have their own advantages. Their bench depth is something I've always admired—players like Gary Payton II and Jordan Poole can change the game in minutes. Poole's 18-point outburst in Game 3 was a reminder of how dangerous he can be, even if he's inconsistent. But let's be real: the Lakers' defense has improved dramatically since the trade deadline, allowing just 108.3 points per game in the playoffs compared to the Warriors' 112.5. I've crunched the numbers, and if the Lakers can maintain their defensive rating of 105.6 in half-court sets, they'll force the Warriors into tough shots. Still, Golden State's three-point shooting—38.5% as a team this series—worries me. In close games, a single hot streak from beyond the arc can swing everything, and I've seen Curry do it too many times to count.
As we approach Game 5, I'm leaning slightly toward the Lakers pulling off a win, but it won't be easy. My prediction? A 112-109 victory for Los Angeles, with Davis dominating the paint and LeBron making key plays down the stretch. But if the Warriors' shooters get hot, all bets are off. Ultimately, as Abueva implied, it's about seizing the moment and doing the work. I'll be watching with bated breath, just like the rest of you, because in playoff basketball, anything can happen—and that's why we love it.
