Golden State Warriors Look to Sweep Houston Rockets
By Greg Chin
The Golden State Warriors have had the Houston Rockets’ number in all three games played this season. Winning by an average of 15.3 points per game, the Warriors have dominated the fourth-ranked Rockets in all their meetings this season.
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The Warriors will also be able to establish a franchise record with a 17th straight home victory tonight, and sweep the Rockets for the first time in 41 seasons. The Warriors also haven’t lost a home game since November 11, against the San Antonio Spurs. All cards on the table point towards a home victory for the league-leading Warriors.
Stephen Curry will have another chance to pad his MVP-credentials, as he faces off against another MVP candidate in James Harden. The last time the two teams faced off, Harden struggled mightily, scoring just 12 points. Don’t be surprised if he bounces back with a big game.
Key Matchups
James Harden vs Klay Thompson: Thompson was exceptional the last time he played against Harden. Limiting the Beard to just 12 points while putting up 27 of his own, Thompson’s contribution was a huge reason why the Warriors won so handily. The key here is to limit Harden’s three-point attempts and avoid fouling him. Harden leads the league in free throw attempts per game (8.9).
Dwight Howard vs Andrew Bogut: The last time the two teams faced off, coach Steve Kerr rested Andrew Bogut in the game the night before to ensure he would be fresh to face the Rockets. With one of the most physically dominating centers in Dwight Howard, many felt like it was the right decision. Bogut will have his hands full, dealing with one of the strongest centers in the league. The Warriors doubled Howard whenever he received the ball in the post, but even then, he still put up 23 points and ten rebounds in the game.
Patrick Beverley vs Stephen Curry: Patrick Beverley has developed a reputation as one of the league’s “dirty” players. Infamous for blowing out Russell Westbrook’s knee, Beverley is a tenacious defender that never seems to run out of energy. Curry will have to make sure that he doesn’t fall victim to Beverley’s underhanded tactics.
Keys to the Game
- Limiting the Three-Point Field Goals
The Houston Rockets lead the league in three-point field goals and three-point attempts. They shoot 33.5 percent from behind the arc, and their long-range shots make up for 34.5 percent of their points scored per game. Stopping the Rockets’ shooting will go a long way to reducing their chances at winning the game.
- Seal off the Rebounds
With two giants in the frontcourt in Donatas Motiejunas and Dwight Howard, the Rockets are one of the league’s best teams when it comes to gathering offensive rebounds. They average 12.1 per game, and the Warriors will have to be at their best when sealing off the defensive boards. They struggled slightly in the last game, especially in the first half, when they allowed the Rockets to frequently score second-chance points.
- Run and Run
The Warriors are 17-0 when they score at least 22 points in transition. They average an NBA-best 20.5 fast-break points, and scoring easy baskets will be key. The Rockets have the league’s second-best defense (behind the Dubs), so finding ways to score before their defense is set will go a long way to winning the game.
Prediction
The Rockets haven’t had much success against the Warriors lately, losing by an average of 15.3 points per game. Meanwhile, the Warriors are near unbeatable at home. This doesn’t bode well for the Rockets, who are 14-6 on the road. The Rockets should stay close, but as usual, the Warriors will use the third quarter to pull away. A comfortable win for the Warriors.