Houston Rockets 85 - 126 Golden State Warriors
Curry and the Warriors responded with a huge blowout victory in game 3, setting a playoff record with 16 straight home wins in the process. A back and forth first half, Curry caught fire and it gave way to a landslide 41 point victory for the Warriors. The blowout was the worst playoff loss in Rockets history and largest win in Warriors history. Harden and Paul had no answer. Curry dropped a game high 35 A big game 4 is on deck as the Warriors look to take a 3-1 lead at home.
Don’t Stress Steph Curry
After a under performing first 2 games of the series, Curry came out cooking. Lighting up the Rockets for 35 points, he was nearly unstoppable in the 3rd as the Warriors opened up a 21 point lead. Shooting 13 for 23 he came out in the second half and lit the Rockets up, scoring 26 of his 35 in the second half. The rest of the Warriors came to play as well, with Durant chipping in 25 points, Thompson adding 13. The starting lineup all scored in double figures as Cook led the bench with a quick 11 points in the closing minutes.
The ball was moving for the Warriors as the team ended with 20 assists. Steve Kerr made great adjustments over the small break leading to the blowout. Taking an 11 point lead into half, the 3rd quarter was the real game changer. Subbing Bell for West was a big game changer on the second unit, even if it didn’t show on the box score. Using his athleticism to help spacing, he opened lanes for Curry and the other Warriors to move the ball and score.
The Warriors have the momentum and will be looking to take a decisive 3-1 lead Tuesday at home. However, the final result shouldn’t be taken for granted. The three ball is life and death for each of these teams and we now have had 2 blowouts due to it. The Rockets can comeback Tuesday and blow the Warriors out and it’s a new series.
Rocket Failure
Getting a taste of their own medicine, Curry exposed the Rockets on defense. Splitting double teams, driving the lane, and just putting players on skates, they had no chance. We know Harden doesn’t try as much on defense, but his inability has now started to cost the rest of the team. Curry took him on multiple drives and forced Capela to swing over. It was either late, or setting up an open look for someone to either shoot or continue the play.
After the lopsided 3rd quarter, the Rockets mostly gave up, only scoring 18 points in the 4th. Having their worst scoring output in the playoffs Harden led the team with 20 points followed by Paul and Capela with 13 each. What is normally this teams strength, killed them tonight. Missed threes turning into easy buckets for the Warriors. Having the game be so close to only watch the Warriors run away with it, has to be a heartbreaking. Too bad for the Rockets as they have to come back Tuesday and play a pivotal game 4. They will look to tie the series and advert disaster.
Shooting only 32% from deep really hurt this team, as the are built off the three. Having blown out the Warriors in game 2, it isn’t defcon 5 levels of concern yet, but it’s getting there. Harden has disappeared before and could at any time, and we don’t know about Paul this deep in the playoffs. D’Antoni will have his hands full in the next 24 hours.
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