Takeaways: Rockets Vs. Warriors NBA Playoffs: Game 4
Red Nation — what the hell just happened with our Houston Rockets?
We went from a team that had a bit of swagger in their step to the same discombobulated, out-of-sync, out-of-mind team that we saw for 82 games this season.
The Rockets had a perfect situation to where they could shock the world and tie this series up!
If that were done, then the proverbial playoff pendulum could’ve swung either way, hopefully in our direction for a push to make something of this series.
This game was literally a tale of two halves — the first half was indicative of the new-look, somewhat new feel of a team and then the 2nd half…I’m just going to leave it there.
It’ll just tick me off even more.
The Rockets three-pointers were falling, they were playing defense and that had built up a 15-point lead, which something that indicate all of the trimmings of an eventual defeat.
But no, the Rockets got lackadaisical again and that 15-point lead evaporated quicker than a drop of water in the Sahara Desert.
The team fought hard to stay in the game and had even held Stephen Curry to six points, five assists and five turnovers in 18 minutes of action.
Thank you Patrick Beverley.
But quite a wrinkle of the Warriors’ timeline took place just before the half when Curry rolled his ankle yet again.
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As he limped to the locker room, I knew that the Rockets have every bit of a chance to take advantage of his eventual absence when he was ruled out for the rest of the game.
I was at today’s game and there was a group of Rockets’ fans cheering that Curry was hurt.
I have a policy of never rooting for ANYBODY to get hurt because; after all, that’s how they make a living.
It’s just the right thing to do and it also emanates good sportsmanship but what do I know?
Nonetheless, it seemed as if Curry’s absence worked in favor of the Warriors, who were inspired to get their leader a win as he was in the locker room sprawled out on the training table, likely frustrated and grimacing in pain.
The second half was mostly forgettable as our opponent got white-hot from behind-the-arc, eventually knocking down 21 three-pointers for the day, an NBA record in a playoff game.
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That goes to show you that our defense went to crap again and the Rockets mailed it in, not even thinking twice about doing it.
James Harden had some amazing moments, especially the buzzer-beater that he hit signaling the end of the first quarter, tying the game at 29-all.
He still chipped in 18 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds including going 8-for-10 from the charity stripe.
Dwight Howard looked like “Playoff Dwight” and was able to effectively control things on both ends for the time he was in there.
But when he was pulled by J.B. Bickerstaff at several moments during the game, his rhythm was obviously affected as well as team’s.
He still finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds and one block.
Michael Beasley was quite effective when he was on the court, continuing to make plays for the Rockets.
He finished with 17 points and three rebounds in 19 minutes of action.
Jason Terry also chipped in when he was in with his nine points, four rebounds and three assists to boot.
But all of that was too little, too late as the Warriors were just too much for our team.
Klay Thompson went out of his mind, hitting three after three, ending up going 7-for-11 on the night with 23 points.
Bev did a solid job defensively when warranted, Trevor Ariza was mostly forgettable on offense and Donatas Motiejunas could never seem to get into a groove without turning over the ball first.
He had four to his credit.
And there you have it, JBB waved the white flag and gave K.J. McDaniels and Montrezl Harrell a few minutes in garbage time in the 4th quarter as the Warriors cruised to a 121-94 win.
My optimism indicates that the Rockets will go up to the Golden State and steal Game 5 to come back to Houston for Game 6 but my pessimism says that we’re just one game away from elimination and that they’ll be packing their bags for the summer soon.
Next: Jeff Van Gundy II: The Sequel?
I hope my optimism wins out.
But any way, we’ll have at least one more game to watch of Rockets’ basketball.
See you Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. CDT — I hope our team makes it worthwhile.
Go Rockets.