Golden State Wins Game 5, but Losses Durant, 104-99

The Golden State Warriors defeated Houston Rockets in Game 5 tonight, 104-99, and took a 3-2 lead in the series. But this win might turn out to be very expensive because Kevin Durant left the game with an injury and didn’t come back.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP, had to go out with 2:11 left in the third, and in moments when Houston started to come back into the match after being down 20 points.

The fans at the Oracle Arena were terrified, with the possibility that their team might lose both this game and their best player in the playoffs so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnNOuXUS-Xg&t=15s

Still, the rest of the guys responded, and managed to pull out a very important victory which guarantees them another game at home.

Steph Curry stated that Durant’s injury affected the team, but that they managed to snap out and respond well.

“Honestly it was a little deflating for a second,” Stephen Curry said, “and then we rallied.”

Curry did score 23 points, but his shooting percentages were low again, 3 of 11 for three points, and 9 of 23 from the field.

But one other guy stepped up to cover everything up – Klay Thomspon. With 4.1 seconds to go, Thompson made a layup and set the final result, also giving the Warriors a two-possession game.

Klay would finish the night with 27 points, hitting 5 threes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P11T0lKVAjw

The Warriors were up 20 points at one moment of the second period, 57-37, but couldn’t keep that lead. The Rockets slowly grind their way back in the game, and in the closing minutes of the third even took the lead.

But again, in the moments when the game was on the line, they allowed an 8-1 run of the hosts, during which Klay Thompson and Draymond Green sunk two consecutive threes to pull the champs to a safe distance, 97-89.

James Harden dropped 31 points in this match. The Beard spoke about the factors which led to this loss at the press conference, stating that his team allowed many rebounds, especially offensive ones, which is why the Warriors had an edge in the decisive moments.

“They get more offensive rebounds; they got a lot more open looks off those offensive rebounds, and that’s what it is,” the Beard told. “In games, we won, they didn’t get those opportunities.”

The difference in rebounding was more apparent in the first two quarters, when GSW posted 27 of them, compared to only 18 of the guests. In the end, that gap was decreased to 42-39, and that is proof that this aspect of the game decided the result.

As soon as Rockets began controlling the glass, they were back into the contest.

Durant picked up an injury and had to leave the game. According to various sources, KD strained his left calf, and more info will be available tomorrow morning when he has an MRI.

If by any chance he has to rest, it would be a huge blow for the Warriors. He averages 35.4 points in these playoffs, along with 5.2 rebounds and 5 assists.

In the moments when he had to leave the game, Durant had 22 points in 32 minutes.

Draymond Green’s contribution was again enormous. He had 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 dishes, and was close to a triple-double.

On the other side of the court, besides Harden, the only guy who showed up was Eric Gordon with 19 points, but his shooting percentage wasn’t good at all, 5 of 14.

Chris Paul posted only 11 buckets with 6 boards and assists each.

“We’ve got to be better, offensively, defensively, especially myself, turnovers,” Paul said after the game.

The series now goes back to Toyota Center. Game 6 will be played this Friday at 9 p.m. local time.

If Durant isn’t available, things are going to get rough for the champs.