The Warriors are going to Houston for a snowball-effect sport: The consequence vastly determines what the subsequent two weeks appear to be for Golden State, a technique or one other.
If Golden State beats Houston, the Warriors will head to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup semifinals towards the winner of Tuesday night time’s Thunder-Mavericks sport. In the event that they lose, they’ll return dwelling to the Chase Middle for the loser of that matchup.
These outcomes create extraordinarily totally different paths.
From a scheduling standpoint, the Warriors would in all probability be higher off shedding to Houston. In the event that they advance within the Cup, they’ll lose a house sport — ending the season with 40 dwelling video games — and embark on what could possibly be a 12-day highway journey in the event that they make the NBA Cup championship to increase their season to 83 video games.
Warriors gamers have constantly made clear their need to win the NBA Cup and its related prize cash; each NBA Cup champion participant is awarded over $500,000. Enjoying high-octane video games so early within the season may gain advantage a few of their youthful gamers, as properly.
Requested if he’d liken Wednesday’s sport to a playoff sport in Houston, Steph Curry drew a distinction: “Not really, but there’s still an appreciation for a moment, like a build-up for a game,” Curry mentioned.
“We all want to get to Vegas, for sure. So we’ll give everything we’ve got to it. But a little different context than the playoffs.”
Right here’s what to observe for within the Warriors’ matchup with Houston.
Critical ownage
The final time the Warriors misplaced to the Rockets was earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was so way back that Russell Westbrook and James Harden had been nonetheless on the Rockets. Marquese Chriss began for the Warriors that sport, and Alen Smailagic performed 12 minutes off the bench.
The Warriors have received all 15 matchups since that Feb. 2, 2020 sport.
“Sometimes the NBA is funny like that,” mentioned Steve Kerr, who referred to as the development “random.”
Though this Rockets workforce — at the moment third within the West — is totally different from lots of the squads Golden State has dealt with over the previous few seasons, the Warriors have already crushed Houston twice this 12 months. Such an prolonged shedding streak may have psychological results on the Rockets once they face the Warriors.
A Houston X-factor
Tari Eason has missed the final two video games in concussion protocol, together with Houston’s most up-to-date sport towards the Warriors.
Eason’s absence was one of many causes that allowed Jonathan Kuminga to erupt for 33 factors, matching his career-high. With out Eason, the Rockets have much less defensive flexibility and need to rely extra on middle Alperen Sengun.
Sengun’s a rising star, however the Warriors are a tricky matchup for him. Of their first assembly, Houston erased a 31-point deficit by placing Eason and Amen Thompson — athletic, tenacious defenders — on the courtroom on the similar time, benching Sengun.
Eason bought cleared from concussion protocol, clearing the way in which for him to return Wednesday. With him again, the Rockets will as soon as once more have the flexibility that raises their ceiling.
The Warriors’ new-look starters
Golden State pressed pause on shifting Draymond Inexperienced to the bench for Kuminga towards the Timberwolves due to Andrew Wiggins’ ankle harm; he’s listed as questionable for Wednesday’s sport.
If Wiggins returns, the Warriors are anticipated to begin Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Wiggins, Kuminga and Kevon Looney.
That will create a bench unit centered round Inexperienced’s playmaking and Buddy Hield’s gravity, with a minimum of considered one of Curry and Podziemski on the courtroom always. Inexperienced may shut halves and spend extra time at middle towards much less bodily backups.
A playoff-like surroundings could be an fascinating take a look at case to see which lineup combos Kerr prioritizes.
Stopping Jalen Inexperienced
As he did within the second half of final 12 months, guard Jalen Inexperienced is beginning to get sizzling. He’s averaging 24.6 factors over his previous 5 video games, capturing 47.4% from the sector and 44.1% from deep.
Inexperienced is a dynamic athlete and three-level scorer when he’s rolling. Two weeks in the past, he dropped 41 factors on 12-for-20 capturing (plus 13-of-14 free throws) in a win over Philadelphia.
Gary Payton II was glorious defending Anthony Edwards on Sunday night time and will get one other powerful project in Inexperienced.
Dealing with ball strain
One motive Eason and Thompson had been so efficient in Houston’s comeback to drive extra time within the first assembly is the fixed ball strain they utilized to the Warriors.
Within the worst moments of Golden State’s near-collapse, the Warriors had hassle getting the ball over halfcourt. Surprisingly, different groups have failed to copy the success of Houston’s tenacious strain.
Staggering Curry and Podziemski’s minutes ought to assist mitigate a few of Houston’s aggressive defensive ways. However even then, caring for the ball will likely be pivotal. Houston forces a league-average variety of turnovers per sport, however has the second-rated protection within the league. Golden State is 2-3 on the 12 months when committing a minimum of 18 turnovers.
Initially Printed: December 10, 2024 at 4:56 PM PST
