Game Preview: Warriors v Rockets

The Houston Rockets take on the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on Sunday
afternoon in Game 3 of their Western Conference Finals playoff series. The
series is tied, 1-1. The Rockets (1-1) were facing a potential catastrophe
heading into last Wednesday’s Game 2, despite the fact the series was still very
much in its early stages. The Warriors (1-1) had looked impressive while
embarrassing Houston on its home court in Game 1 by a 119-106 margin, and an
encore would have sent the team with NBA’s best regular-season record to the Bay
Area facing the daunting prospect of a sweep. Unsurprisingly, the Rockets came
out with urgency, establishing a solid 26-21 lead after one quarter. They then
gained some valuable separation with a 38-point second period that left them
with a 64-50 halftime advantage. They’d go on to build as much as a 29-point
edge at one point in the second half on their way to a commanding victory. James
Harden paced the Rockets with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double that also
included three assists and one steal. Eric Gordon matched Harden’s scoring total
and complemented it with three boards, two assists, one steal and one block.
P.J. Tucker supplied 22 points, seven boards, four assists and one steal while
draining eight of nine attempts, including five of six tries from distance.
Trevor Ariza had the hot hand as well, registering 19 points, six assists, four
rebounds and two steals. Chris Paul played more of a complementary role than
usual but still pitched in 16 points, six assists, four rebounds and three
steals over 34 minutes. Clint Capela tallied just five points but also hauled in
10 rebounds and dished out one assist. The Rockets come into Game 3 with no
injuries to report. Kevin Durant was the lone bright spot for the Warriors,
posting 38 points and three rebounds. Stephen Curry was a distant second with a
modest 16 points on 7-for-19 shooting. He added seven rebounds and seven
assists. The pair of superstars were shockingly the only two double-digits
scorers for Golden State, with Klay Thompson coming the closest to achieving the
feat with a meager eight points (3-11 FG), two rebounds, two assists and two
steals. Quinn Cook followed with seven points and one rebound in just five
minutes off the bench. Draymond Green mustered six points, six rebounds, six
assists, two steals and two blocks. Nick Young matched Green’s scoring total off
the bench and also contributed two assists and one rebound. Andre Iguodala and
Zaza Pachulia generated matching five-point efforts. The Warriors’ only injury
of note continues to be Patrick McCaw, who is likely out for the duration of the
postseason with his back injury.