San Francisco – The Houston Rockets made a statement on Friday evening in match 6, Beat the Golden State Warriors 115-107. With their back against the wall, Houston has ahead of Golden State with a combination of strategic adjustments, defensive intensity and remarkable performance. Meanwhile, the Warriors' missteps exposed the cracks in their match plan and their execution.
Here are five key dishes of this pivotal match:
Roquettes jump while warriors stumble in the 4th quarter
The Rockets took control at the beginning of the fourth quarter, capitalizing on the superb cold sequence of the Warriors, because they missed 14 of their first 15 shots. Houston's defense deserves a major merit for collapse, contesting everything, let go of bullets and forcing Golden State to difficult and low percentage attempts.
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The defense of the Rockets held Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler at 1 out of 12 shot for three points in fourth. The Rockets remained composed, converting stops into an effective offense and extending their advance to store Warriors. This fourth quarter section, during which the Rockets carried out a 12-1 race for almost four minutes, sealed the victory as they won the 29-23 stanza.
Houston's Rockets goalkeeper Fred Vanvleet (5) is hugged by the Alperen şengün center after the team’s victory over the Golden State Warriors in match 6 on Friday. (AP photo / Godofredo A. Vásquez)
(Associated Press)
Fred Vanvleet at one point
Match 6 was another remarkable performance for the guardian of the veterans. The Rocket floor general paid 29 points out of 7 shots, including 6 out of 9 beyond the arc. He also added eight rebounds and eight assists with only two reversals. Thanks to its combination of score, creation of games and balance, Vanvleet exposed the defensive weaknesses of the Golden State perimeter.
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The Warriors head coach Steve Kerr inserted Gary Payton II into the starting program to slow down the signature of Vanvleet begins in this series, but in vain.
Vanvleet scored eight points in the first setting and collected on average more than seven points in the first quarter to six games. Asked about Vanvleet's difficulties of three in the regular season and the first two games in this series, Draymond Green replied: “We know what he is capable of”, referring to the Vanvleet game with the Raptors in the 2019 NBA final.
Vanvleet has an average of 27.3 points and 5.7 assists in its last three games. If Vanvleet maintains this level of play, the Warriors could have serious problems in match 7.
Rocket ball movement and fuel suits discipline
Houston’s ability to move the ball and limit errors was a necessary turning point, especially what we saw from the Rockets in the last two games on the road. The last time the Rockets were in the bay, Houston had an assistance / filming ratio of 18:11, fired 44% in the field and 60% of the charity.
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Friday evening, the Rockets improved, recording 23 assists against only 11 reversals. The emphasis put by coach Ime Udoka on the controlled and useful ball movement has paid dividends. Houston's offensive has flowed more in a transparent way than expected, even equaling the production of 3 points from the Warriors and converting more than 71% of its attempts to launch free.
This discipline also allowed the rockets to capitalize on the errors of Golden State. By forcing 16 reversals and converting them into 22 points, Houston overthrew the script against a team renowned for its ability to punish errors. This balance between the creation of opportunities and the avoidance of unnecessary risks will be essential in the match to be made or to Die 7.
Steven Adams brings Houston's muscular needs
Dillon Brooks picking up his fourth fault in the first three minutes of the third quarter was the best thing that happens for the Rockets of Match 6. Udoka replaced him with Steven Adams, who changed the game dynamics. Udoka remained with Adams for a large part of the last two quarters, and he intensified, providing deadly screens and a good luck rebound that has been transformed into second chance points precious.
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In defense, its ability to obstruct the painting and protect the edge disturbed the rhythm of the Warriors. The presence of Adams allowed the Rockets to go with more unique zone looks, taking elements of 1-3-1 to limit the curry but disguise it in a set 2-3. The Warriors attempt to hack-year-old was relatively neutralized, because he made 9 gifts out of 16, but more importantly, was not played out of the field.
Adams finished with 17 points, five rebounds, three blocks and a flight, but its contributions transcended the statistics sheet. The Rockets dominated the painting, outclassing Golden State 42-31 and transforming 11 offensive rebounds in 19 second chance points. The tenacity of Adams set the tone to Houston, giving it an advantage that the Warriors had trouble countering.
Warriors need more roles
Udoka's adjustments in the game of Udoka have exceeded Kerr, and the big queues disturbed a large part of the Warriors' ability to win the Key Breast Games and understand the defense of the Rockets. The Rockets won the battle on the glass and in painting, leading to second chance opportunities that disturbed that all warriors are trying to take control of the game.
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“Get loose bullets, and we will defend them much better. To beat this team, you have to make second and third efforts,” Green said about what the Warriors have to do in match 7 on Sunday.
Apart from 23 combined points of Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, the Warriors did not obtain a lot of production of key players like Gary Payton II, Buddy Hield or Quinten Post, who combined to go 4 out of 15 on the field. The defense of the Rockets challenged them and that the shots were disputed or opened, they had trouble doing them.
“There is a reason why they play the area for the second half: (to) force a special blow,” said Curry. “If they're going to do that and have some guys shot, if you have a chance, take it. If you're there, be aggressive.”
Butler echoes the feeling of curry when he spoke of obtaining more players from the Warriors.
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“Confidence. Keep them confidents,” said Butler. “It's not about you, it's all about us. We will win together, we will lose together. But I know that we will win on Sunday.”
What also seemed to have an impact on the confidence of Golden State is their inability to prevent Momentum's scanning games, such as the Vanvleet four -point game to open the fourth quarter with the Warriors in advance of two.
“The start of the fourth, obtaining the ET-1 three was a difficult game.
The absence of a bench score has left Golden State too dependent on his starters, who wobbled under the relentless pressure of Houston. If Curry and Butler are fighting, who will fill the void in match 7?
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What is the next step
For the Rockets, match 6 was a highlight of their growth as a team under Udoka. Vanvleet orchestrating the offense, Adams being an executor, and the whole team engaging in a more disciplined and energetic effort, they are about to win the series after a deficit of 3-1.
For the Warriors, the questions abound. Can Kerr Outmaneuver Udoka in match 7? Will their bench finally delivered? More importantly, can their stars go up on occasion, overcoming a forgetful disappointment of the fourth quarter in match 6?
The rockets have the momentum, but the pedigree of the Warriors championship is still a factor. Whatever happens, this series was one of the most entertaining in the first round, and match 7 will be a total affair.
