The Rockets Gutted Out A Win In Game 5 To Put The Warriors On The Brink Of Elimination

With James Harden scuffling and all kinds of offensive efficiency issues, the Houston Rockets probably were not “supposed” to hold serve and win Game 5 over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. For the second consecutive game, however, the Rockets simply made more plays than the defending champions in crunch time and that was enough for Houston to take a 3-2 series lead with a 98-94 victory.

The night began in ugly fashion on both sides, with the Warriors struggling mightily in the opening moments and Houston unable to pull away. Harden and Chris Paul combined to shoot just 4-for-20 from the floor and 0-for-10 from three in the first half, with the Rockets converting only 6 of their 24 attempts from beyond the arc as a team. On the Golden State side, though, turnovers ruled the day, with nine in the first 16 minutes and a generally sloppy and uninspired offensive performance.

In some ways, there was visible intensity on both ends of the floor, though, and Clint Capela provided two memorable, highlight-reel blocked shots at the rim for the Rockets.

Kevin Durant was the lone bright spot for the Warriors offensively before halftime, contributing 18 points and allowing the Warriors to (somehow) hang around to the tune of a tie game after 24 minutes.

Given the fact that the Warriors undoubtedly felt lucky to be knotted at halftime, it would have been easy to give the road team the presumptive advantage in the second half. Chris Paul had other ideas, knocking down a ridiculous three and sparking Houston (in trash-talking fashion) during the early portion of the third quarter.

With Harden continuing to struggle mightily, Paul kept the Rockets engaged and, unlike previous contests, the Warriors did not rattle off a trademark explosion in the third quarter. Golden State did take a one-point advantage into the closing period on the strength of their best offensive period of the game but it was Paul, again, that set the tone with a flurry at the start of the fourth.

Paul, who finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals, did most of his damage after halftime and in big moments. Unfortunately, he was forced to the sideline in the waning seconds with an apparent hamstring issue, though the Rockets managed to escape with a victory without him at full strength.

The final sequence unraveled in memorable fashion and it was fitting after a back-and-forth contest throughout the night. The first blow was an Eric Gordon three to provide Houston with a four-point cushion.

Gordon led the way for the Rockets with 24 points and none were more important than that particular bucket. Still, Draymond Green was there to respond, scoring five straight points for the Warriors, including a three to directly counteract Gordon’s triple.

After a stop, the Warriors had the ball with a chance to take the lead but a kick-out to reserve guard Quinn Cook went begging (Cook’s third miss of the night in wide-open fashion), leaving Golden State in need of a stop. The visitors did manage to generate that successful defensive trip but it wasn’t enough.

If Cook’s miss was the most pivotal of the evening, the ensuing possession was close, as Stephen Curry saw a potentially pivotal attempt glance off the rim and fall to the floor.

Trevor Ariza then converted one of two free throws to put the Rockets back in front by two points, setting the stage for a possible game-winning possession for the Warriors. It was not to be.

Though Green was heroic in keeping the Warriors within striking distance late, the final possession was controversial in that Curry elected to give the ball up (with Golden State attempting to go full court in the waning seconds) and Green was unable to corral the pass with any forward momentum. It was oddly fitting that the Warriors were unable to garner a shot attempt, as Steve Kerr’s team has struggled mightily in the closing period in back-to-back losses.

With the Warriors holding Game 6 in Oakland, the series is anything but over. With that said, the Rockets managed to withstand another barrage from the heavily favored visitors in Houston and, by proxy, James Harden, Chris Paul and company are now firmly in the driver’s seat.