Warriors turn Game 6 into a blowout win over the Rockets: 3 takeaways
By Ian Levy
The Golden State Warriors were in trouble early but turned things around in the second half building a blowout margin over the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets had a tough hill to climb in this game, needing a win on the road without Chris Paul, who suffered a hamstring injury in the closing moments of Game 5. For the first few minutes, it looked like they were prepared to do the impossible. Houston built a 17-point lead by the end of the first quarter, making 8-of-12 3-pointers. It was the kind of explosive shooting performance they’ve become famous for. Unfortunately, they had three more quarters to play.
Houston scored just 22 points in the second quarter, seeing their lead shrink to 10 by halftime. They managed just 16 points in the third quarter, and just nine points in the fourth quarter. In all, the Warriors outscored the Rockets 93-47 over the final 36 minutes. That run should be discouraging to Houston not just because of the numbers but because of how Golden State accomplished them — Stephen Curry catching fire, Klay Thompson going off, stout defense, improved ball movement.
For the first time since Game 3, the Warriors looked like themselves. We’ll see if they can carry that into Game 7.
Takeaways
The Rockets missed Chris Paul. Throwing fireballs in the first quarter inflated their point total but Houston’s offense was lacking it’s characteristic measure of control. Turnovers began cropping up between the made 3-pointers and eventually the former overwhelmed the latter. Houston made 15 3-pointers and finished with 21 turnovers, 14 of which belonged to James Harden and Eric Gordon. Both were spectacular at times but were also forced to press when the Warriors defensive intensity ratcheted up. As Jared Dubin explained, the Rockets don’t really have any other options besides wild risks. If Paul can’t go in Game 7, Harden and Gordon just have to be better.
The Warriors looked like themselves. The Warriors have been lulled into mismatch attacking over the past two games of the series but they did it in a much more uptempo and free-flowing way in this game. Kevin Durant got his points but both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson finished with more shot attempts (they also combined to hit 14-of-28 3-pointers). Draymond Green had six assists, Curry had six, Durant had four and six other Warriors recorded at least one assist. The defense was on point, both tight and disruptive, contributing to Houston’s enormous turnover total. This is the Warriors we’ve become accustomed to.
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Game 7 will be about execution. As the game was winding down, Reggie Miller said something to the effect of ‘throw out the scouting reports, Game 7 will be all about who wants it more.’ All due respect to Miller, but that is ridiculous. The Warriors did not win this game because they wanted it more than the Rockets and I think this incredible series has made clear that there is no gap in desire between these two teams. In addition, the talent gap is much closer than we might have thought. The outcome will come down to the health of Chris Paul and Andre Iguodala and which team is able to execute their game plan, make the tiny adjustments, catch a little luck and make their shots. I can’t wait to see how it shakes out.