Like the Pacers the day before, the Rockets were on the verge of creating a surprise and plunging the Warriors into a mini crisis, but Stephen Curry scored 16 of his 22 points after the break, including the winning shot (105-103) .
While we expected a burst of pride from the Warriors after their poor performance the day before against Indiana, they are again amorphous in the first half. The defensive activity of the Rockets, coupled with their lack of intensity and rigor, limit Golden State to 41% on shots, 26% from afar and cause 13 lost balls! The duo Christian Wood – Kevin Porter Jr. allows the Rockets to have an 11-point lead at halftime (54-43).
So far at 1/9 on shots, Stephen Curry wakes up in the third quarter to launch a 13-0 which brings the Warriors back in the game and even gives them the advantage but Garrison Mathews off the bench keeps both teams back to back (76-76). A 9-0 lead by Kevin Porter Jr. and Kenyon Martin Jr. gives Houston a nine-point lead with five minutes to play (101-92).
The Golden State defense then raises the tone to get back in the game. The Rockets only score two points to finish the match and see Otto Porter Jr put the two teams tied (103-103). The two teams then compete in clumsiness but with five seconds to play, Stephen Curry inherits the ball and wins the match at the buzzer on a step-back at mid-distance. The Warriors can breathe, Houston can blame themselves!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Warriors attack still upside down. With 19 lost balls tonight, the Warriors have chained a fifth game in a row with at least 14 lost balls. The Rockets took the opportunity to score 29 points following the clumsiness of their opponent. Golden State is running at nearly 16 lost balls per game this season, only the Rockets, last in the Western Conference, are doing worse. Worrying for a team that hopes to play the leading roles in the spring.
– The Rockets can blame themselves. Behind a much improved defense in recent games, Houston had managed to frustrate the Warriors. Steve Kerr’s men finally managed to find some rhythm but it was the Rockets attack that suffered a breakdown at the worst time. Despite a spectacular final quarter from Josh Christopher, Kenyon Martin and Garrison Mathews all off the bench, the Rockets missed seven of eight attempts in the final five minutes. It cost them a second straight victory and prestige after their success in Utah.
– The Stephen Curry roller coaster. After a first half at 1 of 9 on shots and three fouls, Stephen Curry managed to reverse the trend after the break. He scored 16 of his 22 points on 5 of 12 on shots while delivering seven caviars to allow Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins to find their rhythm. Curry also made up for his misadventures in the “money time” against Indiana by offering the victory to his team on a shot at the buzzer which left no chance for the defense of Houston. Curry therefore continues, like his team, to blow hot and cold.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ ⛔ Stephen Curry. The double MVP put his team back on their feet in the third quarter, before winning the match at the last second. As unbelievable as it may seem, this is his first career buzzer-beater.
✅ Jordan Poole. Holder this night since Klay Thompson was rested for this back-to-back, he scored 20 points and was aggressive throughout the game. A match that will do him good.
✅ Christian Wood. The pivot was the best Rocket on the night, finishing in a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
✅ Kevin Porter Jr. If the leader lacked skill in the second half, he still blackened the game sheet with 17 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals.
⛔ Jalen Green. The rookie had a nightmarish night, missing all eleven of his shot attempts in 25 minutes of playing time, even though he clawed back valuable offensive rebounds.
THE FOLLOWING
Golden State (33-13): the Warriors return to Utah on Sunday for a Western Conference clash.
Houston (14-33): homecoming for the Rockets for a Texas derby against the Spurs.
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