Game 6 WCF: Golden State Warriors (3-3) 115 - 86 Houston Rockets (3-3)

First published May 27th 2018

Disclaimer: It's pretty obvious the Warriors should win an elimination game at home without CP. And missing CP is maybe the only problem that resulted in this blowout. It's even more evident that should be the result when the other star of the Rockets can't buy a bucket from three.

The Rockets had 5 turnovers in a little over 5 minutes and the game was tied... Great starts from Ariza and Gordon. The warriors continued the cold spell that haunts them since game 4, although looking for more passing out of ISOs but for the Rockets switching you need a lot more effort on off ball screens and quick DHOs to get someone a look. And most of the warriors shots were still a lot of individuals trying to get some space and not in flow of the offense. That's how they've been keeping this team under 100 points for two games coming into this.

Meanwhile, during the first 20 minutes of the game we must have seen 3 occasions with players yelling at each other about switches and coverage. It's been really hard to get sustained quality defense since Iguodala's injury. Houston is executing everything Mike wants them to do pretty much perfectly. No one can do it 100% of plays but getting something so demanding for pretty much entire games is great. We would see how an extra-short rotation in such a demanding system can break down fast. The first time the Rockets showed cracks by rushing things was during the second quarter. The warriors were mostly only getting good shots from having shooters pop out for a very quick catch and shoot (a nice tactic to attempt to counter all those switches).

Honestly, KD let me down a lot during game 4 and 5. Lost while defending off-ball (and this first quarter was terrible), wasn't rebounding and his size would be useful with Tucker always roaming around, not being efficient, his ISOs with the back to the basket killed our offense and with the exception of game 2 (where his assists low key won it for us) being a very poor passer... All i'm saying is i could use less of this. But then during this second quarter, Durant became everything he can be at his best. Catch and shoot, blocking shots and got some nice passes to open teammates... And the warriors, riding on his back, managed to hold on to the game. He became the escape valve we need him to be when nothing is going.

But man, what a tale of two halves.

The first minutes of the third were similar to the beginning of the game in the sense for being frenetic, lot's of turnovers for the Rockets or close-calls on shady passing. The difference was, this time, they actually mattered. I don't know what Kerr said but a lot more focus on defense and i fail to recall any significantly bad pass in transition. We saw Dubs picking up Houston full court on some possessions which i found crazy. And there's nothing more dangerous than when this team gets a feel for it. That's Looney teaching some teammates how you do a great screen for a DHO.

We have seen so few elimination games from the Warriors in the Kerr-era that Klay Thompson might be the best elimination game player of his generation and we'd have too small of a sample to be sure. He was who benefited from all the transition points, and he made his part to create those plays in the first place by being the elite guard defender he is. It is interesting that a lot of our flow came from minutes with KD resting, although i don't want this statement to be misinterpreted as me not wanting him on the court. It's just a reflection on how dynamic the team becomes and Livingston has been really good for that and deserves the s/o.

The final quarter begins as the "attack Nick Young" party. It seems like an obvious choice (though in game 1 it didn't for some reason). And yet Houston had way more turnovers than FGA to start the quarter. Swaggy was out there draining calls, Harden lost his handles twice... It was the most surprised i felt all game, maybe all series. Splash Bros' were going all out, Houston was rushing and getting nothing. They had IIRC 4 points during this stretch and seemed lost like they never looked so far this series. It was like no one had any idea what to do anymore. I mean, Gordon or Harden were chucking for half the possessions.

I think the big question when looking at these two halves is about how everyone expected to see Luc, Ryan Anderson and Joe Johnson have some minutes with CP sitting out but Mike wasn't keen on a big rotation tonight. Tired guys rush stuff and allow more transition points, it's that simple. Then we went full tank to test those three guys to see how they fit and match-up. It was the smart thing to do. The game had completely escaped them and they must feel (and rightfully so) they can win this at home. From that moment on we entered garbage time.

Removing the Harden/Capela PnR from this series is a little detail that got lost but a nice win for the preparation of this series. But still, a couple of hustle plays for great offensive rebounds from Clint come to mind. It's about minimizing his role and damages and he looks miles away from the man that killed the Jazz.

I know Bell took most of the quarter in minutes and his explosion is lovely, but i loved everything Looney did while on the court for the third. His decision making is just more polished. The final play of the 3rd quarter showed that a lot and in big moments i just trust that more. Side note to how Curry was actually one of out best guys on Harden all series. (Green, Klay and Iggy were top 3 but you'd expect them to be better in the first place). But with Curry, you have to consider the volume because he was attacked so many times. Even when he couldn't buy a three he had a great strip on a Harden drive and he 9/10 was great on staying close and hurting the step-back move.

So it seems like what everyone has been saying continues: Win the turnovers and transition battle and you get the game. Maybe all the adjusting and plays a team thinks about are ways to get those two things. Game 7 might just be a classic. Are we gonna see CP and Iguodala? Is CP not being 100% if he plays something that could cost him?...

(Reddit)

June 2019 Author Note: Man, that CP injury would define the narrative of this series for the future. Little did I know.