The Los Angeles Lakers headed into Game 5 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday in great shape, holding a 3-1 series lead after claiming the previous two games.
But instead of putting the Grizzlies away for the summer and getting some valuable rest before the next series, they fell 116-99 in Game 5. While it wasn’t totally unexpected for LA to lose on Wednesday, the way they lost was.
After falling behind by 17 in the second quarter, it fought back and came within one early in the third quarter, and it was still within one with 4:10 left in the period. But then Memphis went on a big run, and the game was not in doubt at any point in the fourth quarter.
Although LeBron James had a very bad shooting game, many are placing a good amount of the blame on head coach Darvin Ham, especially for some questionable substitutions he made late in the third period.
How Ham may have cost the Lakers Game 5
With the Lakers down by one with 4:10 left in the third quarter and fighting tough, Ham decided to take Anthony Davis out. Davis had an absolutely dominant game with 31 points and 19 points, and he was the team’s only real offensive threat the entire game.
Even worse, Ham subbed in Troy Brown Jr. for Davis. Brown shot very well late in the regular season, but he has been ineffective throughout this series.
When there was 2:41 left, the Lakers’ small lineup that had James playing the 5 was now down by eight points, which was when James exited in favor of D’Angelo Russell and Davis returned, replacing Austin Reaves. Memphis then went on a 12-2 run to end the period ahead 94-76.
James normally rests in the middle of each quarter, while Davis often rests later in the third quarter. Perhaps Ham sticking to his usual rotations in Game 5 would at least give the Lakers a chance to win and advance.
Instead, they will have to get the job done in Game 6 in LA, which means they’ll have to expend more energy and get less rest before the next series if they do indeed knock out the Grizzlies.
Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire