Part 5/8:
As the second half unfolded, the game became increasingly skewed in favor of the Lakers. Calls for more aggressive defense resonated from fans and commentators alike as the Warriors struggled against the combined efforts of LeBron and Anthony Davis. The frustration with the officiating became evident, and injuries further complicated the Warriors' fight. Each low point felt compounded by the knowledge that the once-promising playoff run was crumbling—particularly as Jordan Poole’s lackluster performance—being overshadowed by previous seasons’ expectations—was heavily scrutinized.