Warriors bounce back to demolish Rockets
After three days off, Curry finds his form as Golden State soars to 41-point Game 3 triumph
When Golden State’s Steph Curry proclaimed Oracle Arena as his personal domain late in the third quarter of Sunday night’s Western Conference Finals win over Houston, his choir boy image took a backseat to his fiery side for just a few moments.
This was the dam break that the Rockets had feared, with Curry scoring 13 points in less than three minutes in the kind of way that only he can while sending Houston to a 126-85 Game 3 loss. A drive past James Harden for an easy bucket and a 15-point lead. A clever backcut that Kevin Durant noticed in time to deliver the timely pass for a hanging, reverse lay-up.
A three-pointer from the right wing that sent the locals into a frenzy. An isolation three up top over James Harden, with Curry toying with his fellow star before pulling up from long range and giving a trademark shimmy on his way down the floor.
But after Curry finished at the rim yet again and pushed the lead to 24, a side of him emerged that isn’t often seen in the public spectrum.
“This is my [expletive] house,” he yelled while pointing to the floor. The man isn’t wrong. After three days of questions about what was wrong with the two-time MVP, Curry – who had hit just two of 13 three-pointers in the series coming in – erupted for 35 points while hitting 13 of 23 shots (five of 12 from threepoint range). He had 18 points during the third quarter alone, with Curry hitting all seven of his shots and both of his threes during that period. And after the Rockets headed West with so much hope after taking Game 2 and tying the series 1-1, they were given a harsh reminder that the Warriors are simply a different team at home during the playoffs. In fact, the 41-point margin was the Warriors’ largest playoff victory ever.
1. Home is where the heart is
The Warriors set an NBA record by winning their 16th consecutive playoff game at home, surpassing the Chicago Bulls team that won 15 consecutive playoff games from April 27, 1990, to May 21, 1991. Their last home playoff loss is as memorable as they come: It was the Game 7 loss to Cleveland in the 2016 Finals that came after their infamous 3-1 lead against the Cavs.
2. Strong start
The Warriors, whose Game 2 loss included a 14-point deficit at halftime, turned their first-half fortunes around this time around. Not only did they lead 54-43 at the break, but they controlled the action in spite of the fact that Curry’s curious shooting struggles had continued.
He missed seven of eight attempts from beyond the arc in the first half, with no sequence worse than the one that took place midway through the first quarter. Curry missed once from the left wing, this coming after a Durant drive in which he passed up an open lane to find him on the left wing. Curry missed again from the left corner seconds later after a Kevon Looney offensive rebound.
Still, there was truth in the Warriors’ “Strength in Numbers” advertising again.
At the end of the first quarter, a Looney block on Luc Mbah a Moute at the rim sparked an 11-0 Golden State run that mostly took place with Curry and James Harden on the bench. The Rockets went scoreless for the final 4:04 of the period, missing all six shots and giving up four turnovers to give the Warriors a 31-22 lead.
Durant (15 first half points) stayed hot from the start, while the Warriors received a welcome 10 points from Andre Iguodala. Durant would finish with 25 points, six assists and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Paul’s struggles (one of seven shooting, one assist) were just getting started.
3. Reversal of Rockets’ fortunes
Now that the discussion about Curry’s health is quieted for a bit, there will surely be questions about Rockets point guard Chris Paul. Not only did he miss 11 of 16 shots, tally just four assists and finish with a minus-18 rating, but he appeared to move gingerly at times.
The Rockets role players who were so huge in Game 2 couldn’t replicate their efforts either, chief among them Trevor Ariza (19 points in Game 2; six in Game 3) and P.J. Tucker (22 points in Game 2; six in Game 3). Houston had 19 turnovers to the Warriors’ eight. Top NBA prospect Luka Doncic led Real Madrid over defending Euroleague champion Fenerbahce 85-80 to claim the league title on Sunday night in Belgrade, earning Final Four MVP honors in the process.
The triumph capped the Euroleague season, quickly turning attention to whether or not Doncic will leave Spain to join the NBA next season.
“I will tell about all at the right time,” said Doncic, who scored 15 points on eight field-goal attempts in the win, after the game. “Right now I just want to celebrate with my team. Soon I will tell.”
The 19-year-old Slovenian star said last week that he was not yet sure about his NBA plans, saying, “We have yet to make this decision. Perhaps after the season.”
Doncic has until June 11 to withdraw from the NBA draft, which will be held June 21 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The 6-foot-8 point forward is widely considered a top-five prospect and a possible contender to go first overall to the Phoenix Suns. Newly hired Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov coached Doncic and the Slovenian national team last year as it won a first European Championship.
The Suns are also expected to consider Arizona center DeAndre Ayton and Duke forward Marvin Bagley III, among others, and general manager Ryan McDonough said earlier this week he is open to a trade.
If Doncic doesn’t go first overall, ESPN reports the “growing consensus among NBA decision-makers” is that the Sacramento Kings (picking second) and the Atlanta Hawks (third) would pass on the Slovenian, making it possible Doncic could be available to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 4 or Dallas Mavericks at No. 5.