Kings-Warriors preview: Small-ball could help take down Golden State’s aging NBA dynasty

The Kings made a change in Game 6 that might have changed everything in their epic first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors.

Kings coach Mike Brown unleashed a small-ball lineup in a 118-99 victory over the Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco, setting up a battle of young legs vs. old legs in Game 7 on Sunday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The Kings are coming home with an opportunity to knock out the defending NBA champions in front of a crazed Sacramento crowd that might be even more raucous than it was in a Game 1 win over the Warriors.

“It’s going to be rocking,” Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox said. “We’ve had loud games this year. Coming out for Game 1, I think our guys were amazed at what was going on. But going back there for a Game 7, I feel like — everybody doesn’t get to experience a Game 7, but not a lot of people get to experience a Game 7 in Sacramento — so I feel like this is going to be rocking.”

Someone asked Kings guard Malik Monk what the words Game Seven mean to him.

“Man, I never been to Game 7, so I don’t know,” Monk said. “I don’t know what to expect. I just know I’m going to go out there and play 110%, give it my all, and continue to do what I’ve been doing, and that’s attacking the rim and making plays for my teammates, so I’m going to be ready.”

The Warriors won’t panic over what happened to them Friday night in Game 6 — not after winning four NBA championships in the past eight years — but they are acutely aware that their dynasty could begin to crumble if it happens again in Game 7. Rumors have swirled all season regarding the futures of general manager Bob Myers and the combustible Draymond Green, two key figures in Golden State’s decade of dominance.

Warriors star Stephen Curry is 35 years old. Klay Thompson and Green are 33. A first-round exit could hasten significant organizational changes. Momentum and time are not on their side.

The Kings, who are making their first playoff appearance since 2006, won the first two games at home and then lost three in a row with two days off before Games 3, 4 and 5. The staggered schedule gave the aging Warriors time for rest and recuperation as they seek their fifth title in nine years, but that is no longer the case with just one day off before Games 6 and 7.

Monk said that was part of Sacramento’s gameplan going into Game 6.

“That was a big emphasis, starting strong, starting early and running on them because we knew we had one day,” Monk said. “The last couple games, we had a two-day break, so we knew we could run them a little bit and we took advantage of that tonight.”

Monk went on to say the Kings could feel the Warriors’ fatigue.

“They was a little tired,” he said. “We were a little younger than they are, so we knew we could take advantage of that, so we’re going to try to do the same thing Sunday.”

The chess match between Brown and Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been fascinating to watch. Both teams made adjustments over the first five games of the series. The Kings made another one in Game 6 — going to a small-ball style with Trey Lyles as the backup center — at the urging of Kings senior director of coaching analytics Robbie Lemons and assistant coach Luke Loucks.

“They drove me fricking crazy in our last meeting,” Brown joked. “… We all felt we wanted to go to Trey, but mainly, just, ‘Hey, let’s just keep shooters on the floor, touch the paint and spray it.’”

There were times the Kings had three guards on the floor with rookie Keegan Murray at power forward and Lyles at center. They attempted 45 3-pointers and hit 17 of them, shooting 37.8% after connecting on just 30.1% over the first five games. Murray made four 3-pointers. Kevin Huerter and Monk had three. Fox and Lyles each had two.

Golden State fans chanted “Waaarrriooors” with their team trailing by double digits in the second half, but it was futile. When the onslaught was over, the Kings had made seven more 3-pointers and taken 14 more field-goal attempts while shooting higher percentages.

“They made some nice adjustments to try to give their guards — Fox, Monk — give them space to try to drive,” Curry said. “Keegan got loose early. Huerter hit some shots late. And it was a different look and they have the ability to do that with certain personnel. They pushed those buttons and it worked, and so we have to be able to make the adjustments, because you assume it’s going to be the same or a similar vibe.”

Thompson agreed the Warriors had trouble with Sacramento’s small-ball style.

“Well, I mean, based on the 20-point loss, I think there is a safe answer of yes,” Thompson said. “But the playoffs are all about adjustments and we’ll make the necessary adjustments to win the game on Sunday.”

Curry dismissed the idea that the Warriors were getting tired given the length of the series and the quick turnarounds after Games 5 and 6.

“Pretty sure you got to ask everybody individually,” Curry said. “(I) felt great and know we can keep up with that pace if we play with our brains at the same time and understand how we can be effective on the defensive end and not turn the ball over.”

Thompson admitted the Warriors weren’t ready for Sacramento’s speed, aggression and sense of desperation in Game 6.

“We let them get out to an 8-0 lead and had a lot of miscommunication in transition,” Thompson said. “Too many easy layups for them. Beat us up on the boards. So, it’s up to us to go to Sacramento and do everything we did tonight, but opposite, and I know we will respond. I just know this team. I know these guys. I’ve played at the highest level with them and I know what we are capable of, and we will respond like the champions we are come Sunday.”

The Kings have other ideas.

“Sacramento’s been waiting for the playoffs, let alone a Game 7 against a team that’s right down the street,” Huerter said. “We expect it’s going to be electric, similar to the Game 1-type atmosphere from both sides. I think both fanbases will represent well. It’s a huge game. Obviously, win or go home. It’s been a great series so far and, obviously, we’re glad it’s on our home court, but we’ve got to bring it again.”