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Fred VanVleet and the Rockets stun the Warriors, dragging the series to a sudden death even after Steph Curry single-handedly tried to lift the Warriors back into the game
Fred VanVleet scored 29 points, Alperen Sengun produced a double-double, and the Houston Rockets seized control in the fourth quarter en route to a stunning 115-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, forcing a decisive Game 7 of their Western Conference first-round series on Friday, May 2 (Saturday, May 3, Philippine time).
The Rockets, who extended the series to a sixth game with a 131-116 home win on Wednesday, will host Game 7 on Sunday, May 4.
Houston stayed alive by clamping down defensively in the final period. VanVleet also keyed an offensive surge with a four-point play that opened the frame and extended the Rockets’ lead to 90-84.
The Warriors, after shooting 50% from the field and drilling seven three-pointers in their 36-point third quarter, missed 13 consecutive shots in the fourth as the Rockets turned a 12-0 run into a 106-89 lead.
Sengun recorded a steal on Jimmy Butler III and fed VanVleet for a three-pointer that fueled the rally.
“I think people, especially veterans, know the urgency of the playoffs, and it gets monotonous at times through the regular season,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said while discussing VanVleet.
“Sometimes [they] pace themselves, save themselves for the right moment, and obviously, Fred came out not shooting his best. And he’s had some really good stretches lately. He knows what it is. He’s been a champion. Been there, done that. So wouldn’t expect anything less than that from him.”
Sengun posted 21 points and 14 rebounds while adding 6 assists and 2 steals. VanVleet also recorded 8 rebounds and 8 assists while making 6-of-9 from three-point range and all nine free-throw attempts.
Amen Thompson added 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Steven Adams totaled 17 points and 3 blocks off the bench. Houston finished 33-of-46 (71.7%) at the free-throw line.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 29 points, going 6-of-16 on three-point tries, while Butler added 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.
However, Golden State shot just 41.1% from the field and sank only 15-of-49 three-point attempts (30.6%).
“They were in a zone. They played (Steven) Adams quite a bit. He’s at the center of that zone, kind of a 2-1-2,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
“I thought we got some good looks against the zone. But then, once they pulled away by 10 or 12, it was easier for them to run us off the line.”
The opening period featured 10 lead changes, two ties and an early Draymond Green flagrant foul. Sengun and VanVleet combined for 16 points in the first quarter, while Houston committed six turnovers in the first 12 minutes of action but took a 25-21 lead into the second.
The Rockets’ 7-0 spurt following a Moses Moody three-pointer pushed that margin to 46-35.
Curry single-handedly lifted the Warriors back into contention, sinking two three-pointers, completing a three-point play, and adding two free throws for an 11-0 run that tied the score at the 1:59 mark.
Houston reclaimed some control following a Thompson dunk and a Jalen Green three-pointer, forging a 53-48 halftime lead.
Butler and Curry combined for 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in the first half to keep the Warriors within striking distance. – Rappler.com
