A look at the fan reaction in real time.
Monday night was a good night for the Golden State Warriors. In a dramatic game that you’ll remember many years from now, the Dubs bested the Houston Rockets 109-106 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead as the series returns to Texas. They’re in total control, and have a chance to close it out early and get a little bit of rest before the semifinals.
It was a tense and chippy game that had everyone on the edge of their seat. Let’s relive the action through the comment section in the Golden State of Mind game thread.
First quarter: ‘Buddy locking up’
Steve Kerr started with a new opening five, as Jimmy Butler III returned from injury and Buddy Hield was inserted into the starting lineup. Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski provided early offense, while Hield surprisingly led the ship on defense. After the Rockets scored the first two points, the Dubs went on a 13-0 run. But Houston would answer, and found a way to score despite amazing Golden State defense. The lead after one frame was just 28-26.
Second quarter: ‘Eff Brooks’
The second quarter was where the drama started to ensue. The Rockets took the lead early in the quarter, and were again dominating on the offensive glass. Golden State stopped scoring entirely, and the Rockets rattled off an 8-0 run. Then things turned emotional and chippy. It seemed the refs were breaking up scuffles every possession. At one point there was a triple-technical called, and shortly thereafter Green — already playing with one tech — picked up a flagrant foul after getting tangled on the floor with Tari Eason. Through it all, the Rockets had gone ahead, and took a 57-50 halftime lead.
Third quarter: ‘18-1 run, sit tf down’
Golden State made a serious statement to start the third quarter, scoring the first 13 points, and going on an 18-1 run. It seemed like they had taken total control, but Green picked up his fifth foul just four minutes in. Trayce Jackson-Davis got some minutes and, with Green out, the Rockets started to score again and came roaring back into it. Alperen Şengün started to feast as Houston tied the game. After three quarters, the Warriors clung to a tiny 82-80 lead.
Fourth quarter: ‘Diamond makin time’
The fourth quarter showed the difference between the championship-proven veteran Warriors and the young, upstart Rockets. Golden State handled their composure better, with Butler coming to life and Podziemski taking over. But not before the Rockets went on a 10-2 run to go back on top. As the game neared an end, though, Golden State’s veterans locked in. Butler played some of the best basketball he’s played in a Warriors jersey — on both ends of the court — and Green had a game-saving defensive possession to seal the win.