5 reasons why Golden State Warriors couldn’t close Houston Rockets in Game 6
The Golden State Warriors could not close out the Houston Rockets in Game 6 on Friday. After vowing to bounce back following a 131-116 road loss two nights ago, the Dubs could not capitalize on their home-court advantage to end the series. The Warriors lost 115-107 to the inexperienced but gritty Rockets, a defeat that will force them to a Sunday winner-take-all showdown in Houston.
Steve Kerr told reporters after Game 5 that he would lean on Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, playoff-hardened veterans against the Rockets. Led by Fred VanVleet, the visiting team played with better poise and resilience to force Game 7.
5 reasons the Golden State Warriors could not end the Houston Rockets' season
#5. Inefficient 3-point shooting
The Golden State Warriors picked the wrong time to have their worst shooting performance from deep in the series. Golden State moved the ball well, but their shooters had an off night, going 15-for-49 (30.6%) in Game 6. Steph Curry made six triples but took 16 shots. Curry's fellow starters combined to make 3-for-18 from the same range.
#4. The Warriors continue to have problems with lineups featuring Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams
The Golden State Warriors won the offensive rebounding battle 13-11. Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams accounted for six of the Houston Rockets' total.
Lineups with Sengun and Adams have more impact than just the offensive rebounding numbers. The Dubs regularly send 2-3 players to keep the Kiwi from wreaking havoc with his rebounding. Adams and Sengun together have forced the Warriors perimeter players to help in the paint and then scramble outside to run off shooters.
The chaos created by their presence inside in Game 6 was costly for the Golden State Warriors.
#3. Fred VanVleet has found his range
Fred VanVleet had a ghastly 6-for-29 clip (20.1%) from 3-point distance in the first three games of the series. Since then, he has gone 18-for-27 (66.7%), a huge uptick that has given the Rockets a lifeline.
The former Toronto Raptors star repeatedly made crucial shots to douse a rally or give the Rockets momentum on Friday. Houston often crumbles when its outside shots falter. VanVleet did not stutter in Game 6, a key reason why the Rockets lived to fight another day.
#2. The Houston Rockets' physicality bothered the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors tried to overhaul the Houston Rockets' 86-84 lead entering the fourth quarter. Houston's physical defense stepped up to hold of the Dubs. Four of Houston's offensive rebounds came in the final 12 minutes, evidence of their relentlessness to battle under the boards.
#1. Steph Curry was a non-factor in the fourth quarter
A right thumb injury, the Rockets' physical defense and a combination of both made Steph Curry almost a non-factor in the fourth quarter. The two-time MVP finished the period with three points behind 1-for-6 shooting.
