The Warriors head home for Game 6 down 3-2 and facing elimination, but there are a few reasons to be optimistic that they can win this series.
The Warriors haven’t had their backs against the wall like this since Game 7 of the 2016 Finals.
Houston has taken Game 4 and Game 5 by a combined seven points, and are now one win shy of reaching the NBA Finals.
However, they had to have a sour taste in their mouth after Thursday night’s win.
Chris Paul went down with a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter, and he’s already been ruled out for Game 6.
CP3 has a history of hamstring trouble, and this injury creates a completely different dynamic in this series.
Paul has been the Rockets’ best player over the last few games as James Harden has struggled mightily on the offensive end missing 20 three-pointers in a row.
With Chris Paul out of the lineup, the Warriors are favored to win Game 6 by 12 points according to Sportsbook Review.
But Golden State also has some injury issues to deal with.
Andre Iguodala’s knee contusion has “gotten incrementally better,” according to Steve Kerr, but he is still questionable for Saturday night’s elimination game. Paul is surely more important to his team than Iguodala is, but Iggy’s absence has been a crucial factor in the Warriors dropping the past two games.
The Warriors sounded confident in their postgame press conferences following Game 5, and CP3’s injury has given them reason to be optimistic.
Golden State needs to take advantage of this opportunity and put the Rockets away early to force the series back to Houston for a Game 7.
Next: Is Houston the Warriors’ Toughest Opponent in the Steve Kerr Era?
More from Blue Man Hoop
- 3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunion
- Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics
- 7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline
- Golden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World Cup
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court
Game Details
Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets
Tip-Off: Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. PST
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
TV: TNT
Radio: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network