Playoffs 2000:Game 5 adjustments for Lakers, Pacers

Game 5 adjustments for Lakers, Pacers
By Dr. Jack Ramsay
Special to ESPN.com

Editor's note: Dr. Jack Ramsay breaks down the NBA Finals for ESPN.com, discussing what adjustments he would make if he were coaching the Lakers and the Pacers heading into Game 5, which could be the last meeting of the series.


	Jalen Rose must play a better game than he did in Game 4, noted Dr. Jack Ramsay.

Both teams do need to make adjustments entering Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Friday night. The Lakers have to defend better. They allowed the Pacers to shoot 50 percent from the field and with a high 3-point percentage. If the Lakers allow that to happen again, this game will be in doubt. I really expect them to tighten the reins. If they do it could be the decisive factor. If they don't, they could definitely lose the game and it's back to Los Angeles for everyone.

The Lakers do want to close this out in Indiana. They want to win it as soon as they can. There is a special accomplishment in winning on the road and closing out a series. The fact is that it's hard to do. It's an added gemstone in your crown to do that. We won our championship with Portland in 1977 at home in the sixth game, but we won Game 5 in Philadelphia, and it was nice. Back then it was a 2-2-1-1-1 format, not 2-3-2. No team has ever won the middle three games at home, so obviously it's very difficult. I prefer the 2-2-1-1-1 format, personally.

On the other side, Indiana has to play with enormous intensity. They played great in Games 3 and 4, but only won one of them. They need another effort on the level of those two games, but they must win it or the series is over.

Jalen Rose must come up bigger in Game 5. He was 5-for-16 shooting in Game 4, and he wasn't going after his shot, especially in the first half. Part of it was because Rik Smits played so well, and then it was Reggie Miller.

Indiana recognizes the need to go to the guys who are scoring well. Reggie does it, Rose as well. I don't know if it was necessarily Glen Rice stopping Rose, either. Rose just wasn't looking especially for his own shot and when he did get good ones he didn't make them. The Pacers also need good performances from their centers. If they get another 34 points from then again, they should win.

The Pacers are not demoralized, but they are disappointed. They just took a kick to the stomach. So they are a bit doubled over, but they had Thursday to get rid of that. And when it comes to Larry Bird, he won't say much about it. He won't mention it. He might say something about them having to win on Friday because it's their last shot, but he might not.

They have the extra motivation of knowing it might be the last gasp for them. They have worked too long, too hard, so if they lose, it will be with all guns firing. The purpose now is to continue the series in Los Angeles, try to play another game. That's all. You get one, then you get another.

I think Game 5 will go down to the wire again, and the team that makes the plays again will win. There's added pressure on the Pacers to be the team that makes the plays. They can win, but they have to make every play count.

Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay provides analysis for ESPN on SportsCenter, NBA Today and ESPN Radio. The color analyst for the Heat, Ramsay's impressive résumé includes making the playoffs in 16 of his 20 seasons as coach and winning an NBA title with Portland in 1977.