Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER
A vintage 36 point performance from Steph Curry offset the absence of Jimmy Butler as the Warriors ran away from the Houston Rockets in the fourth quarter to score a 104-93 win Saturday night and take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference playoff series at Chase Center.
All eyes are on Steph Curry as he splits the Houston defense on his way to a game high 36 points late in the Warriors 104-93 victory over the Rockets in Game 3 of their Western Conference playoff series.
In just another of a career’s worth of games for the ages, Curry played a game high 41 minutes and took control of the game down the stretch, filling out his stat sheet with seven rebounds, nine assists and two blocked shots.
With Butler limited to looking good on the bench in a full length faux fur coat, the undermanned Warriors started a lineup of Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and Quinten Post, with the quartet only scoring a combined 26 points in support of Curry.
Asked about Curry’s performance, Warriors coach Steve Kerr simply stated, “Whatever I’ve said the last 11 years after every one of these games, just copy and paste. He’s one much greatest players of all time. He’s 37. He’s one of the most well-conditioned athletes I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Golden State’s Kevon Looney and Houston’s Dillon Brooks get tangled up during the first quarter of Warriors 104-93 win over the Rockets Saturday night at Chase Center.
Golden State’s lack of height and shooting showed early against Houston’s athletic but lacking postseason experience squad, falling behind by as much as 12 points late in the second quarter before going on a nine point run to narrow the gap to three at the half.
The Warriors got strong efforts of the bench from Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II. Hield torched the Rockets for 17 points in 29 minutes, going 5–11 from beyond the arc. Payton added 16 on 7-9 shooting while constantly tormenting Houston with tenacious defense.
Golden State defenders Draymond Green (23) and Jonathan Kuminga (00) pressure Jalen Green during the Warriors 104-93 win over the Rockets in Game 3 of their Western Conference playoff series.
Praising Curry, Hield commented, “He seizes these type of moments. I’ve watch him my whole life, college to now and the previous playoff runs he’s been on. Watching against this physical team, he embraces that. He thrives off that. You look at him, he’s smaller than everybody but he’s a competitor and he’s just going to be competing and giving it his all every night.”
“We all follow him,” Draymond Green said. “With that type of tenacity, you’re not going to be the guy to let him down. I don’t think anybody wants to be that guy when he’s coming out and giving that type of effort. Oftentimes, I try to bring that energy, and I didn’t have it. And he found it. Then I followed him. And we all followed him. I thought it was beautiful.”
The Rockets were led by Fred VanVleet with 17 points, 13 in the first quarter. Alperen Sengun added 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Game Four is scheduled for 7PM Monday night at Chase Center.
GAME NOTES:
Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr earned his 101st playoff coaching victory, moving into sole possession of sixth place on the NBA’s all-time playoff coaching wins list, passing Larry Brown (100).
Curry (4,053 career playoff points) moved into 10th place on the NBA’s All Time playoff points list, passing Tony Parker (4,045). It was his 60th playoff game of 30 or more points.
