Steph Curry went off for 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting from downtown in the first quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference finals to help the Golden State Warriors take a 36-28 lead after one. The Houston Rockets‘ defense was a disaster early on, and James Harden‘s miscues were a big contributor to their woes on that end of the court.
Above, you can see how Harden over-rotates to help on a dribble drive by Draymond Green, which resulted in Curry getting a wide-open look from the corner.
Below, you can see him get caught behind a double screen thanks to a lackadaisical effort, then hilariously and impotently try to jump over Andrew Bogut and get a hand in Curry’s face.
But Harden wasn’t the only guilty party. On the play below, Pablo Priogini inexplicably leaves Curry all alone at the top of the key, and the outcome was just as you might expect.
The Rockets, however, were able to clean up some of these issues and were also getting it done offensively, going on a 23-6 run to end the half and tie the game at 55 all. Harden led the way with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, three of which came off one of his patented step-back jumpers.
When the MVP and the runner-up have it going like this, could there possibly be anything better? Golden State and Houston just began the third quarter. We highly, highly recommend tuning in.
(Vines via BBALLBREAKDOWN)
