Warriors eager to get back on court, respond after loss

OAKLAND, CALIF. — One good beating per series is plenty for Draymond Green and Golden State.

The Warriors got it in Game 2 at Houston, and now the defending champions plan to do what they seem to do best: bounce back with brilliance. As the Western Conference finals showdown shifts to Oracle Arena for today’s Game 3, tied at one game apiece, the Warriors have spent the past few days discussing their Game 2 troubles TONIGHT’S GAME

Western Conference finals, Game 3, Rockets at Warriors, 8, TNT

and what they’re striving to do in order not to be dominated again. It’s time to play.

“I think we’re at our best when we feel threatened,” Green said Saturday. “Game 1 we felt threatened, we came out with a sense of urgency. Game 2 we maybe didn’t feel as threatened, and the sense of urgency wasn’t there. I think you’re allowed one of those a series. We’ve had our one; now it’s time to lock in for the remainder of the series.”

And for the Warriors, that starts on the defensive end against Chris Paul, James Harden and Co., because when they get stops, it allows Golden State to get going in transition and find open looks from 3-point range that weren’t there during a 127-105 Game 2 defeat Wednesday night at Houston. That was largely because the Rockets had ample time to set their defense following made baskets.

Houston is making sure not to get too high from its impressive result. The Rockets lost Game 1, 119-106.

“Feels like Game 2 was a week ago now. That’s how it is in the playoffs,” Paul said. “I heard somebody say when you lose a game in the playoffs, you feel like you’re never going to win again, and when you win, you feel like you’re never going to lose again. We’ve done a great job all year staying even-keeled.”