Warriors seize sequence lead as Steph Curry burns Rockets, once more

[ad_1] Steph Curry (36 factors, 9 assists) was good in a Sport 3 win, and the Rockets struggled to attain when it mattered. Golden State restricted Jalen Inexperienced (9 factors) with aggressive coverages on protection.

Even with co-star Jimmy Butler (left pelvic contusion) sidelined by damage, Warriors legend Steph Curry nonetheless proved an excessive amount of for the Houston Rockets to deal with in Golden State's 104-93 playoff victory (field rating) on Saturday night time.

By successful Sport 3 at dwelling, the Warriors now lead the best-of-seven, first-round sequence by a 2-1 margin. Sport 4 is Monday, additionally at San Francisco's Chase Middle. Since Golden State already gained as soon as in Houston, the Rockets might want to win at the least one street sport to finally win the sequence — and regardless of main by 13 factors within the first half and dealing with an opponent with out considered one of its two stars, the Rockets nonetheless could not get it finished in Sport 3.

After Jalen Inexperienced led the Rockets with 38 factors in a Sport 2 victory, the Warriors had been way more aggressive in sending traps and assist defenders his method, and the Rockets could not make them pay. Inexperienced completed with 9 factors, the fewest of any Houston starter.

"We anticipated that coming in," Rockets head coach Ime Udoka stated postgame. "When (Inexperienced) does his job, and he has two on the ball and will get it to guys, they should make them pay behind it. ... Groups have finished all of it yr. Their gamble paid off. We did not make them pay with that, particularly with the paint pictures."

Houston made simply 34-of-86 pictures (39.5%) as a workforce — and excluding Dillon Brooks and reserves Steven Adams and Jabari Smith Jr. (all at 50% or higher), the opposite 5 rotation gamers linked on simply 24-of-68 pictures (35.3%). The Rockets additionally made simply 14-of-24 free throws (58.3%), which was a lot nearer to their 55% clip in a Sport 1 loss than their 80% throughout a Sport 2 victory.

Curry was good for the Warriors with 36 factors, (52.2%), 9 assists, and seven rebounds, whereas sparingly used reserves Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield mixed for 33 factors on 13-of-22 capturing (59.1%) and 7-of-14 from 3-point vary (50.0%).

Butler's standing for Monday's Sport 4 will not be but clear, although he has not been dominated out. Learn on for highlights, interviews, and related postgame tidbits and response.

Sport 3 Highlights Postgame Interviews Amen Thompson Struggles Rockets-Warriors Sequence Schedule, Outcomes Sport 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85 (Golden State leads, 1-0)Sport 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94 (Sequence tied, 1-1)Sport 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93 (Golden State leads, 2-1)Sport 4: at Golden State (Monday, April 28, 9:00 p.m. Central tipoff on TNT)Sport 5: at Houston (Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 on TNT)Sport 6, if vital: at Golden State (Friday, Might 2, TBD)Sport 7, if vital: at Houston (Sunday, Might 4, TBD) All video games not televised on ABC may also be televised through a regional House Metropolis Dwelling Community broadcast that includes Houston’s personal broadcast workforce.