The Golden State Warriors decided to go small in their crucial Game 6 showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Head coach Steve Kerr inserted Shaun Livingston into the starting lineup and removed center Andrew Bogut. Draymond Green is slated to start as their small-ball center, with Kevin Durant at the four spot. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson remain Kerr's top choice in the backcourt.
The #Warriors are changing their starting lineup for Game 6. Here are the Dubs starters:
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Shaun Livingston, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green. #Clippers
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 27, 2019
The Warriors lost at home in Game 5, forcing Kerr to make the necessary changes. Durant scored 45 points in that game while Curry poured in 24 points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point territory, but their efforts were not enough to stop the Clippers who won 129-121.
Lou Williams exploded for LA in Game 5, scoring 33 points. Montrezl Harrell also dominated the Warriors and finished with 24 points on 78.6 percent shooting.
Livingston's insertion into the starting lineup is likely to counter Williams and Harrel from creating more damage. Kerr likely wants to lessen the space on the perimeter, and having Livingston man it is his solution.
Livingston is a solid defender, but he hasn't played a lot of minutes with Curry and Green.
It remains to be seen how Kerr's lineup change will affect the Warriors, especially in Game 6 where they will want to avoid going down to a huge deficit and giving the Clippers the momentum.
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