Houston Rockets @ Golden State Warriors

Game 3; Series tied 1-1

Total: 226 / GSW -8

 

The Rockets team we saw in Game 2 was the team that we saw roll over the competition all season long en route to the top seed in the Western Conference over the defending Champion Warriors. The Rockets were moving the ball extremely well during Game 2 and had some massive contributions from guys not named Chris Paul and James Harden. Trevor Ariza, Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker combined for 67 points! Maybe they’re the real “Big 3” in Houston. Golden State does get to come home, however, and after stealing a game in Houston it’s going to be a tall task for Houston to beat the Warriors on their home floor.

 

Players to Watch

 

Houston Rockets

James Harden - Harden won the scoring title in the regular season but is fourth on the list in the playoffs. He’s actually taking more shots this season but simply hasn’t been as efficient of a scorer. He has, however, been great against the Warriors from a percentage standpoint this year. Harden’s been involved in four games against GSW and he’s shot 47.1-percent from the field and 40.5-percent from three.

Chris Paul - CP3 reallllllly wants to make it to the NBA Finals. He’s played his heart out, especially over the last five games as he’s averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Paul is having such a fantastic postseason that he’s even lowered his 2.2 turnovers per game in the regular season to 1.9 in the playoffs.

Eric Gordon - Gordon is definitely the X-factor for the Rockets in this series. In both of Gordon’s 20-point games this postseason, the Rockets have won by more than 20 points. Success against the Warriors is something Gordon is familiar with, however. In five meetings this season, Gordon has averaged 20.4 points per game on 45-percent shooting from the floor.
 

Golden State Warriors

Kevin Durant - Durant has been incredible this postseason and has scored 37 or more points in three of his last four games. He’s shot better than 50-percent in four straight games and his 29.6 points per game mark this postseason ranks him third amongst all players.

Stephen Curry - Curry hasn’t shot the ball like his normal self, but he’s been contributing across the board regardless. He’s scored at least 16 points, grabbed a minimum of six rebounds and dished out seven or assists in each of his last three games. That said Curry, who averaged 26.4 PPG during the regular season, is scoring only 22 per contest this postseason.

Klay Thompson - Thompson was horrible during Game 2 shooting just 3-for-11 from the field and scoring just eight points. That was very uncharacteristic of Thompson who has shot the ball extremely well against the Rockets this season. In five meetings, Thompson’s accrued a 50-percent mark from three-point territory, so look for Thompson to get open for good looks in Game 3.

Draymond Green - It’s clear as day when Green isn’t the primary facilitator the Warriors offense just isn’t as potent. He had four straight games with nine assists before Game 2 in which he had just six and the Dubs offense just wasn’t clicking. Green isn’t the triple-double threat we’re used to him being because he’s only taking five shots per game this series, but he can still touch double-figures in both rebounds and assists fairly easily.

 

Pre Game Props

 

1. The last shot made of the 1st quarter is a 2 pointer?

Houston has taken the most three-pointers this postseason while Golden State has shot the fourth most three’s. I’m going with NO, the last shot will not be a two, it’ll be a three.

2.  Both teams attempt a 3 pointer by the 10:15 mark?

Just basing this off the last answer and how many three’s each team takes per game (HOU - 39.8 / GSW - 30.1) I think it’s definitely possible. It feels as if Golden State will try and get Stephen Curry and the crowd going early and run something early for him. Houston takes more threes than anyone, so I’m going YES here.

3. James Harden (HOU) outscored Kevin Durant (GSW) in the 1st Quarter?

This postseason, James Harden has averaged 7.2 points in the first quarter while Kevin Durant has averaged 8.8 points. The reason behind it could be because Durant seemingly plays the whole entire quarter while Harden takes a rest around the nine minute mark. I’m going with NO here.

4. Clint Capela (HOU) leads all players in rebounds at the end of the 1st Quarter?

Capela’s rebounding numbers have been all over the map of late, but for the playoffs as a whole they’re up from the regular season nearly one full rebound per contest. The issue here is Capela hasn’t had much success against the Warriors rebounding the basketball averaging just seven per game. I think someone like Kevin Durant or Draymond Green, guy’s who stay in for the entire first will beat out Capela.

5. Either of the first 2 made FG’s of the game is a 3 pointer?

I’ve harped on this in the first two questions as well. These two teams take a ton of three’s. Stephen Curry is my bet to hit the first shot which I think will be a three, so my answer here is YES.

6. Golden State wins the opening tip-off?

Golden Stats used Kevin Durant to jump in Game 2 and the strategy paid off as they won the tip. If he takes the tip again, I think Golden State wins it. If Draymond Green does, Houston will control the opening tip