HOUSTON — The Warriors have ended the Rockets’ season four times during their dynastic run. The last two, in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals and 2018 Conference Finals, were played at the Toyota Center.
The faces in red and white jerseys are new, but the Warriors have effectively turned the lights out on another Rockets season. By arriving in Houston and dominating, the Warriors buried the Rockets’ faint playoff hopes.
For their season-high sixth straight victory, the Warriors (42-34) shot 17 of 35 (48.6%) from deep and won the rebounding battle, 43-29. Klay Thompson scored 29 points on 7 of 11 from deep, Steph Curry matched him with an efficient 29, and Trayce Jackson-Davis recorded a career-high 20.
The Warriors never trailed in a 133-110 blowout. The victory gives the Warriors a soft safety pillow. With six games remaining, they are now four games ahead of the Rockets in the standings and own the tiebreaker, meaning they have effectively clinched at least the 10th seed – the highest play-in spot lower.
With Houston buried in their rearview mirror, the Warriors can catch up on the Lakers. Stealing the ninth seed would allow them to avoid having to play sudden-death play-in games on the road before even starting a traditional playoff series.
The Warriors looked comfortable from the start; given their history in this building, why wouldn’t they? Golden State started on an impressive 19-6 run midway through the first quarter, covering the Rockets with their new and improved defense.
Houston responded with a 9-0 run as Steph Curry hit the bench and a series of turnovers defeated Golden State, but Chris Paul hit a pair of 3-pointers to stem the Rockets’ rally. The Warriors made eight of their first 12 triples.
Thompson eclipsed 20 points in the second quarter on a catch-and-shoot 3. Like so many times in the halcyon days of the Warriors-Rockets rivalry, Thompson was oblivious. At one point, he sank a one-legged, pirouette drop into the post. He looked at Dillon Brooks, a frequent Warriors foe, after hitting a 3.
The Warriors’ starting lineup of double bigs Andrew Wiggins and Splash Bros closed the half 9-0 to give Golden State a 65-50 lead. This unit has really solidified as Jonathan Kuminga (knee tendinitis) has been out the last five games.
The Warriors’ starting unit started the second half strong again, taking a 19-point lead. Curry, victim of a league officiating adjustment that allowed more contact, got his first free throws in more than 51 minutes of play. He raised both hands after the block call on Fred VanVleet , shouting “YES” to the Warriors bench.
Curry’s move was a playful criticism of how he’s been officiated recently, but it also could have applied to the Warriors in general. As they cruised into the fourth, they secured their longest winning streak of the year – with quality victories against Orlando, Dallas and now Houston. Their defense, which has held four of their last six opponents below 100 points, held the red-hot Jalen Green to 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
The rotation combination Steve Kerr has been looking for all year seems to have fallen into place. They’re still destined for the play-in, but if the Warriors peak at the right time, it’s hard to imagine any Western Conference team outside of Denver being excited to face Golden State in the playoffs.
Their latest statement comes from Houston. The way they are playing, the Warriors will be able to finish more seasons.
California Daily Newspapers
