Game 3 WCF: Golden State Warriors (2-1) 126 - 85 Houston Rockets (1-2)

First published May 21st, 2018

The attempt to hedge in the first few plays was a disaster and gave a bunch of open layups for the Rockets, the defense was incredible all game but it only really started when we went back to switching without fear. And honestly i don't know why we wouldn't. I get that Curry gets attacked a lot but he's actually a better one on one defender than he gets credit for. He's not really that good but i don't think that by playing Harden ISO against him they'll get enough to win this. Game 2 worked so well because they did other stuff as well and moved the ball so much.

Curry is not a let's just shoot 3's until it goes in kinda of guy and those 6 three attempts in the first were rough. He gets hot by getting in rhythm with the game and then getting that heat check. That's what we saw in the third. He got a bunch of good plays and buckets around the rim, and then got a long three to go in when CP thought walking up to a close out was a good idea. And once that first goes in, you better pray...

I thought Bell did just ok. But he's going to get the West minutes and he should. Harden blew by him on a play, that foul on the three (very soft but whatever)... However, i think he's serviceable and as he keeps playing in this series the more he's going to learn. In 10 minutes a game i'm sure he'll be a good addition to the rotation.

This was pointed out to me but this really was the first time that i can recall where we shamelessly staggered KD and Steph and had one on the floor for every competitive portion of the series. Slater was right by saying that it might be something just for this series. I doubt we'll see it in the finals but i think it's a testament to the threat we see in the Rockets. It's well known that Curry and KD like similar minutes to get going so this is a compromise for the people involved due to necessity.

On defense i'll not waste your time by singing the praises of Draymond but he's just out of this world. Whenever he's the primary defender in a ISO i stop being worried about that play. And a great off ball commander as well. Anyway, Looney keeps on getting good showing after good showing. Every time Klay gets switched on to Harden it's also impossible for the soon-to-be-MVP to get anything going.

Another thing pointed out to me was how in the CP-only units, we got the tall line up in, with Livingston and Klay for the backcourt. What i did notice is that it's an amazing lineup for switches pretty much 1 through 5. Livingston and Iggy are completely different players since the playoffs began.

Finally, because of garbage time, can i see a little bit more of Cook in the game? I get that they think he's going to die out there. They're probably right... But man, i love watching him go. Full of confidence and great in our system. If only he had a few extra inches in height.

It was a warriors destruction in the second half, the type you only see with Curry being in peak form. But the first half was about two teams missing shots and Houston could've easily been in a different position had they made some of those misses layups (though most were well contested) and KD is the workhorse you turn to to keep things afloat when the rest isn't clicking. Those 25 points you know you can count on.

When there's 6 all stars in the game, one team as 4, and the other two were individually the worst of the lot in a game, that's when you're sure to get a blowout like this. Also, Gordon for some stretches of tonight felt like an undercover agent. Awful shots and turnovers.

So 3 games in, I see nothing that has changed my opinion going into it. The surprise has been how large the margins have been but i'm pretty sure close games will start to show up. Warriors in 6.

(Reddit)