Houston Strikes Back and Take Game 3 After OT, 126-121

The Houston Rockets won Game 3 of their series against the Golden State Warriors and decreased the deficit to 2-1. They were better than the champs in Toyota Center after overtime, 126-121.

It was James Harden who scored Houston’s last five points and had a defensive rebound to secure a victory.

Harden who had 41 points, came out as a game-winner from tonight’s contest, despite all the troubles he had with his eyes.

“Close the game,” Harden said. “That’s what I’m here for. That’s what I do.”

A three-pointer, then two free throws, to successfully deny GSW’s second comeback of the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oUIFM3T9FM

The home team was leading at the halftime 58-49, and were looking good at that moment. They even reached a 12-point lead with 7:02 left in the second, after Chris Paul’s free throws.

That distance was kept until the final minute of that period, when the Warriors began closing the gap. They scored five points to close the third, and opened the last quarter furiously, with Kevin Durant dropping 10 points in a row. Overall, the guests have made a 15-2 run to grab the lead at 94-93, following Durant’s three.

Houston woke up and didn’t allow a complete comeback, but fought out OT. Durant had a chance to sing a go-ahead jumper on GSW’s last possession, yet he missed it. After that, there was a jump ball between Chris Paul and Klay Thompson which ended in Harden’s hands, but there was no time for anything.

The Beard said that he expected this kind of an event. The series against the reigning champions can’t bring anything else than huge battles.

“It’s gonna be a fight,” Harden told ESPN of the series after the game. “Every possession. Every game. Better be physically tough, mentally tough.”

The Beard got BUCKETS to lead the Rockets to the win in OT 🔥

41 PTS | 9 REB | 6 AST pic.twitter.com/2VzlHZPkiS

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 5, 2019

Besides his 41 buckets, Harden also had 9 boards, 6 dimes, and was shooting 14 of 32 from the field, 5 of 13 for three.

Eric Gordon dropped 30 on GSW’s defense, hitting 7 downtown shots.

Paul had an all-around game, with 14 points, 8 boards, and 7 dimes, while Clint Capela ended the night with a double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds.

On the other side, Kevin Durant once again backed up all the stories that he plays the basketball of his life. KD shredded Houston’s defense with 46 buckets, had 6 assists and made 6 long-distance hits.

Draymond Green posted a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala had 16 each.

Steph Curry struggled in this game. Whether is that because of his finger, and the dislocation from Game 2, we don’t know. But the fact remains, that he isn’t playing very well in the recent few days.

He made only 7 shots from 23 attempts tonight, and failed to deliver in the crucial moments during the overtime, missing a dunk and a layup.

The two-time MVP was harsh on himself after the match.

“I’ve just got to make those,” he said. “If I’m out there playing, I’ve got to produce and it just didn’t happen tonight.”

Five of Steph Curry's six bad misses at the rim tonight were with his right (non-affected) hand. Can't blame the tape/dislocation, just a bizarro night for him inside. pic.twitter.com/EXhaNkrnrX

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 5, 2019

Houston’s aerial domination was apparent in this match, and the Rockets had 20 boards more than the Warriors, 55-35. Despite having twice as many turnovers 16-8, and fewer assists, 27-20, offensive rebounds were the key to their win, because the home team had 17 of them.

Game 4 takes place this Monday, at 9:30 p.m. local time.

For James Harden, there is no special recipe on how to repeat the performance from tonight. According to the reigning MVP, the only solution is to go out on the floor give everything you’re capable of, and have some fun.

“We know who we’re facing out here. So we better just enjoy it, have fun, embrace it and go out there and compete at a high level.”

Rockets need to win this one; otherwise, the Warriors will have a chance to close the series already on Wednesday.