Still without Jonathan Kuminga but with four winning shots from the “Splash Brothers”, the Warriors got off to a flying start (25-11). Steve Kerr's men scored 8/12 from 3-point range in the first quarter, but they lost nine balls, and they allowed Jalen Green's Rockets (13 points, 4/12 on shots) to remain in ambush (33). -24).
Eight points in a row from Klay Thompson (29 points, 7/11 at 3-points) give Golden State some breathing room but 14 points from Jabari Smith (24 points), dominating inside, bring Houston back to -6 (56 -50). Instead of capitalizing on their highlights, the Rockets missed four 3-pointers in a row while Stephen Curry (29 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) allowed the Warriors to finish the half on a 9-0 lead to take 15 points ahead (65-50).
The Rockets have a foot and a half on vacation
Despite losing fifteen balls in the first half and five more in the third quarter, the Dubs continued their demonstration thanks to an even more diabolical skill. They score 11 of their 16 shots in the period, behind 27 points from the Curry – Thompson – Jackson-Davis trio (20 points), to keep the Rockets at bay (99-83).
They did not let up the pressure in the last period, increasing the gap to more than 20 points to disgust the Toyota Center. With only six games to play, the Warriors now have four defeats less than the Rockets and the tie-breaker, ensuring them, barring disaster, qualification for the play-in.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The “Splash Brothers” + a high-stakes match in Houston = explosive cocktail. If the rivalry between the Warriors and the Rockets no longer exists since 2019, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were fondly remembered by the Texan public. Both players have several memorable playoff performances at the Toyota Center and with the possibility of putting the 11th-ranked Rockets on the brink tonight, they jumped at the opportunity. It was Thompson who opened the hostilities with 11 points in the first six minutes and 21 at the break at 5/8 at 3-points. Curry took over after the break, scoring 17 points in the second half while attacking the rim relentlessly. The two friends each finished with 29 points, at 51% shooting success. A real demonstration.
– Jabari Smith, the only Rocket up to the task. During their 11-game winning streak, Tari Eason and the Rockets upset the Warriors. Eason, who hasn't played in several weeks, even wore a t-shirt with the slogan “Warriors, come out of play”, in reference to the film The Warriors (1979). Their wish was granted. The Warriors pulled out all the stops. The Rockets turned into a damp squib. Only Jabari Smith, author of 24 points in 32 minutes and decisive in bringing his team to -6 in the second quarter, was ready to fight. His teammates struggled. The trio Jalen Green – Fred Van Vleet – Dillon Brooks finished the match at 9/28 on shots, insufficient. Their hopes of play-in have vanished but the Rockets will be able to rely on this good end to the season to continue in the next exercise.
– Return postponed for Jonathan Kuminga, sprained ankle for Andrew Wiggins. While Steve Kerr had announced a return of Jonathan Kuminga to Houston, the young winger did not feel ready to join his teammates. Kerr, however, hoped to count on him from that night in Dallas. The Warriors could be without Andrew Wiggins against the Mavs. Victim of a small sprained ankle, he was spared during the fourth quarter.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
