“We just need to steal one.”
“Get greedy.”
“A playoff series doesn’t begin until one team wins on the other’s homecourt.”
All true enough as far as each goes. But I’m continually struck by how radically each single game can suddenly alter the predicted trajectory of a series.
There’s no truly true “must win” game until elimination. But Game 2 at home for Memphis comes close.
A one-point game doesn’t immediately suggest needed adjustments. Kerr’s already made his: starting Payton. And that had ripple effects. The intent obviously was to match Payton’s minutes as closely as possible with Morant’s.