May 12, 2019
If you didn’t know, last night the Houston Rockets had one of the best and entertaining games against the NBA champions the Golden State Warriors. In game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, these two teams had nothing short of an absolute battle. In a physical overtime win for the Rockets in game 3, Golden State’s defensive anchor Draymond Green fouled Rockets franchise player James Harden hitting him in the face and causing him to have both of his eyes bloodshot. The Rockets responded bringing all of the intensity and physicality needed to overcome the star power of the Warriors.
The physical play started in the first quarter when Klay Thompson put his feet under James Harden for a couple of open threes. It continued into the next quarter after Chris Paul bodied up Steph Curry playing very physical defense. All the way into the third quarter, James Harden eventually got his revenge on Draymond Green when he pulled up for a three and Draymond Green in an attempt to close out on the sniper, James shot the three and snatched his hand back smacking Draymond in the process of his shot falling through the net. The Rockets were playing great team basketball the whole way into the fourth quarter where at one point they were up by 10 points with only five minutes left in the game. However, they stalled out and the Golden State Warriors and went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead down to two points. After a James Harden\’s drive and foul, he ended up missing and then making one free throw to give his team a three-point lead. After multiple misses by both all-stars Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry for two three-pointers, Chris Paul out-hustled Kevin Durant for the rebound eventually getting fouled and hitting a free throw to go up by four and close the game.
After four games, a series that everybody thought would be over by now, is now tied up at two apiece with all the drama you could possibly ask for. My own personal belief is that there is something going on in the Warriors locker room that is not getting out to the public. I believe that there is still tension between Draymond Green and Kevin Durant. Also, the fact that Kevin Durant might be out of the door next season and possibly not wanting to resign with Golden State also brings some animosity into account. Nonetheless, this series has lived up to their former meeting in the Western Conference finals last year coming down to a game 7, and I can’t wait to see the victor for this year.