The Lakers play the Phoenix Suns Thursday night in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series. Here are three things to consider with the Suns holding a 3-2 series lead:
Dennis Schröder had possibly the worst games of his career in Game 5. He missed all nine of his shots and was scoreless for the first time in over five years.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was also scoreless, taking only one shot, passing up plenty of others, and leaving the game in the third quarter because of a sore knee that has bothered him since last week.
There is a lot at stake for Schröder. He is a free agent in August. He has reportedly declined a contract from the Lakers that would pay him more than $20 million a year.
If Anthony Davis does not play because of a strained groin, Schröder must step up and help LeBron James shoulder some responsibility.
If not, the Lakers’ chances of winning shrink dramatically.
The Suns blistered the Lakers for 66 points in the first half of Game 5. Devin Booker led the way with 18 first-quarter points as the Suns overwhelmed the Lakers.
Kyle Kuzma said it best after the game when asked what the Lakers missed without Davis, their defensive anchor.
“We just saw guards all night just walk to the rim. I don’t think that would have been the case if he played,” Kuzma said.
Point guard Cameron Payne had another great night off the bench, scoring almost a point a minute.
Add Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton to the mix, and the Lakers have some work to do defensively.
Andre Drummond was fine the first two games, averaging 13.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, but he tailed off after that.
He had two points in the second half of Game 5.
Will Drummond start Thursday night? Maybe Lakers Coach Frank Vogel changes things up by inserting Marc Gasol or Montrezl Harrell in the Lakers’ first five.
Gasol has been the Lakers’ top reserve in this series but did not add much in Game 5, picking up as many fouls (five) as points.
Harell has been a forgotten man since the playoffs began; benched for two games and averaging only 11 minutes in the three he played. Yet, he was efficient in Game 5, collecting nine points in 12 minutes. Maybe he gets an unexpected start thanks to his never-ending energy?
Whoever gets the most time will have to contend with DeAndre Ayton, whose averages of 17.4 points and 12.2 rebounds make him easily the most effective center in the series. Ayton is shooting 80% for the Suns, second in the NBA among all playoff participants.
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