Things were smooth sailing. The Los Angeles Lakers were up 2-1 in the series, the mismatch for the Phoenix Suns was very obvious and I went out on a limb and declared the series as over. What I was not expecting at the time was Anthony Davis hurting his groin and getting removed from Game 4.
Davis is unlikely to play in Game 5 and with groins being a tricky thing, he likely won’t be 100% at all again in this series. If the Lakers do not get a 100% version of AD then the pendulum has flipped the entire direction and the series might be over for LA.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
Game 5 is a massive game for both parties. While it is not the most important game of LeBron James’ career, as Skip Bayless says it is, it can be a huge statement win for the Lakers. A win without AD in Game 5 gives the team cushion and the hope that he could return without having to force him into Game 6. A loss puts LA on the ropes and speeds up the timeline.
LeBron James is going to have to activate vintage LeBron and quite frankly, that should be expected. While he has been reserving his energy for key moments in the playoffs, there will be nothing to reserve it for if they cannot get past the first round.
The success of the Los Angeles Lakers does not hinge on LeBron James, though.
We know LeBron James is going to be great and if he isn’t then the Lakers lose, plain and simple. But even a great showing from LeBron is not going to be enough to win this game. The Lakers need other players to step up in absence of Antony Davis.
There are two players, in particular, that can save the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 and help the team pull out a surprising victory.