Golden State Warriors: Surprise performances key victory over Rockets

Some surprises performances off the bench assisted the Golden State Warriors’ superstars in a big victory over the Houston Rockets.

In what has been a week full of tests for the Golden State Warriors, they have had no trouble at all passing them. With their first two challenges of the week having been conquered with ease having beaten the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder, they had their next test against the Houston Rockets on Friday night.

Coming into the game, the Warriors were looking to avenge an earlier loss to Houston. Much like the previous two games, this one started out as a close shootout. However, the Warriors once again were able to keep up the firepower while the Rockets and their firepower could not keep up.

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The game was one for big nights from the starters but also surprise performances off the bench. While Stephen Curry was draining a buzzer beater at the end of the first half to shift momentum, they continued to get production from some of those young players off the bench.

Friday night’s surprisingly efficient player off the bench was none other than James Michael McAdoo. With JaVale McGee out of the lineup, the Warriors tried out different bench rotations and that opened up minutes for McAdoo.

He did exactly what the Warriors needed and provided a good 12 minutes with eight points and two rebounds. Despite three turnovers, he was perfect shooting the basketball and helped create an impact.

In a game like this one where Steve Kerr needed as much offensive production from as many players as possible to match Houston, McAdoo chipping in eight of his own was a huge plus for the offense. Patrick McCaw would also shoot perfect off the bench with eight points in just three minutes of play.

After the aforementioned buzzer beater at the end of the first half from Curry, the Warriors began to turn it on. A 37-point onslaught in the third quarter crashed the Rockets as they were not able to keep up.

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Suddenly, a five-point lead at the half became 20. The Warriors didn’t let their previous string of fourth quarter woes get to them and Kevin Durant put his foot down with a huge fourth quarter. He would lead the way with 32 points overall in the win and another MVP-level performance.

The key to this game was the 28 points from the bench. They chipped in when they had to with a shortened rotation and the starters did their job. If there were any worries or concerns about Houston, the Warriors proved that every team will still have to go through them.