The Warriors were in some serious trouble going into Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. After taking a 3-2 lead in the series against the Rockets they got some terrible news. Kevin Durant would be out for the rest of the series due to a calf strain he sustained during the 3rd quarter of game 5. This is a heavier blow to the Warriors than you think. Even though the Warriors still have 3 All Stars on their team they have relied on KD heavily. With Klay Thompson and Steph Curry’s mediocre play, they have depended on KD carrying them every game. With the 30 year old superstar scoring almost 40 every game they have been able to ride the KD wave to a 3-2 series lead. But now that their best player is out for the series it is time for the Splash Brothers to make a comeback back into the spotlight.
With the Rockets playing red hot and hosting game 6, the Warriors would have to fight an uphill battle to close this series out. The Warriors caught the Rockets off guard to start the game. Iguodala and Thompson came out of gates fast knocking down two early threes. On the other hand despite, James Harden starting off a little slow, PJ Tucker and Chris Paul helped pick up the slack. Paul was on a mission to dominate this game after going only 3-14 in Game 5. It only took a few minutes for Harden to start warming up and began to conduct the Rockets to a solid 10 point lead. But once the 2nd quarter hit the Warriors slowly began to mount a comeback thanks to Thompson and Kevon Looney. Looney had a major game as he helped lead the defense in the paint and gave the Warriors many second chance shots due to his dominant offensive rebounding. Thompson, on the other hand, was on fire in the first half making 5 threes and scoring 21 points. At half time the Warriors were tied with the Rockets at 57. A major surprise for many basketball experts and an even bigger surprise was that Curry had 0 points in that first half. Golden State caught Houston off guard in the first half and now had a great opportunity to seize control in the second.
The 3rd quarter started a little slow for the Warriors. They managed to hang within striking distance but were not able to control the lead. Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers were able to hold off the Warriors for most of the third. That was until 5 mins left in the third. Curry finally made his first shot in the game thanks to a beautiful right handed lay up. This was a big shot for Curry, as you could see him getting more comfortable with his shot. He would carry this momentum into the 4th as the Warriors only had a 2 point deficit to erase. What people didn’t realize is that Curry would have one of the most clutch 4th quarters in his career.
The 3rd quarter started a little slow for the Warriors. They managed to hang within striking distance but were not able to control the lead. Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers were able to hold off the Warriors for most of the third. That was until 5 mins left in the third. Curry finally made his first shot in the game thanks to a beautiful right handed lay up. This was a big shot for Curry, as you could see him getting more comfortable with his shot. He would carry this momentum into the 4th as the Warriors only had a 2 point deficit to erase. What people didn’t realize is that Curry would have one of the most clutch 4th quarters in his career.
The Warriors were able to tie the game with 8 mins left in the 4th. After this point the Rockets and Warriors would be a complete stand still for 3 mins. But then the floodgates opened for the Splash Brothers. Curry would then knock down two heavily contested 3’s to help give the Warriors a 3 point lead. After a great defensive stop from Draymond Green, Thompson hit the dagger 3 to put the Warriors up by 6 with 50 seconds left in the game. When the game was over, the final score was 118-113 in favor of the Warriors. For the 4th time in 5 years the Rockets fall to the Warriors.
The key to the Warriors’ win was their aggression. They play physical, tough basketball. Green and Looney brought the energy that fueled the team. On the other hand, the Rockets came out looking lackluster. Besides solid performances from Tucker, Harden, and Paul the Rockets faltered. They didn’t have the same energy and will to win like the previous games. But the major X-factor in the game was the Warriors bench. Due to Durant being out, the bench players got more minutes and stepped up in the moment, helping the Warriors stay in the game until Curry took over. What the Warriors showed was that they wanted it more. In the end you can’t underestimate the heart of a champion.
The key to the Warriors’ win was their aggression. They play physical, tough basketball. Green and Looney brought the energy that fueled the team. On the other hand, the Rockets came out looking lackluster. Besides solid performances from Tucker, Harden, and Paul the Rockets faltered. They didn’t have the same energy and will to win like the previous games. But the major X-factor in the game was the Warriors bench. Due to Durant being out, the bench players got more minutes and stepped up in the moment, helping the Warriors stay in the game until Curry took over. What the Warriors showed was that they wanted it more. In the end you can’t underestimate the heart of a champion.