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HOUSTON
GOLDEN STATE |
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| Western Conference - Finals - Best of 7 - Game 5 - GSW Leads 3-1 | | |  | |
| 517 | HOUSTON | 216 | 217 | | 518 | GOLDEN STATE | -10 | -10.5 |
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| All Games | 65-33 | +18 | 58-39 | 51-47 | 104.8 | 53.9 | 44.5% | 54.2 | 102.2 | 51.4 | 44.6% | 54.0 | | Road Games | 28-20 | +6.6 | 26-21 | 27-21 | 104.8 | 53.3 | 44.7% | 53.7 | 105.0 | 52.9 | 45.8% | 53.6 | | Last 5 Games | 2-3 | -0.3 | 4-1 | 1-4 | 105.0 | 54.4 | 45.5% | 54.8 | 107.8 | 56.0 | 46.8% | 54.8 | | Playoff Games | 9-7 | +2.4 | 10-6 | 10-6 | 109.3 | 56.2 | 45.3% | 58.7 | 111.1 | 57.2 | 46.3% | 55.6 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 104.8 | 53.9 | 37-83 | 44.5% | 11-32 | 34.9% | 19-28 | 70.0% | 54 | 12 | 22 | 22 | 9 | 16 | 5 | | vs opponents surrendering | 100.4 | 50.2 | 38-84 | 44.8% | 8-23 | 35.1% | 17-23 | 74.7% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Team Stats (Road Games) | 104.8 | 53.3 | 38-84 | 44.7% | 11-32 | 34.5% | 19-27 | 70.6% | 54 | 12 | 22 | 23 | 9 | 15 | 4 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 102.2 | 51.4 | 38-86 | 44.6% | 8-24 | 32.5% | 18-24 | 74.3% | 54 | 12 | 22 | 22 | 9 | 15 | 5 | | vs opponents averaging | 101.4 | 50.7 | 38-84 | 45.3% | 8-23 | 35.4% | 17-23 | 74.8% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 13 | 5 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 105.0 | 52.9 | 39-85 | 45.8% | 8-24 | 35.3% | 19-25 | 73.2% | 54 | 12 | 22 | 22 | 9 | 15 | 5 |
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| All Games | 78-18 | +15.6 | 52-40 | 42-53 | 109.1 | 56.0 | 47.6% | 52.3 | 99.4 | 50.1 | 42.9% | 53.0 | | Home Games | 45-3 | +13.7 | 28-18 | 22-25 | 111.4 | 57.5 | 49.2% | 51.7 | 97.9 | 48.6 | 42.8% | 51.6 | | Last 5 Games | 4-1 | +2 | 2-3 | 2-3 | 109.4 | 58.4 | 48.0% | 55.0 | 101.4 | 53.0 | 43.8% | 54.0 | | Playoff Games | 11-3 | +0.8 | 6-8 | 3-10 | 104.4 | 55.3 | 46.4% | 52.9 | 96.7 | 51.2 | 43.6% | 51.4 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 109.1 | 56.0 | 41-87 | 47.6% | 11-28 | 39.6% | 16-21 | 75.9% | 52 | 11 | 27 | 20 | 9 | 14 | 6 | | vs opponents surrendering | 100.3 | 50 | 38-84 | 45.0% | 8-23 | 34.9% | 17-23 | 74.8% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Team Stats (Home Games) | 111.4 | 57.5 | 42-86 | 49.2% | 11-28 | 40.7% | 16-21 | 75.9% | 52 | 10 | 29 | 19 | 10 | 14 | 6 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 99.4 | 50.1 | 37-86 | 42.9% | 7-21 | 33.4% | 19-24 | 76.0% | 53 | 12 | 21 | 19 | 8 | 15 | 4 | | vs opponents averaging | 100.2 | 50.1 | 37-84 | 44.9% | 8-22 | 34.8% | 18-23 | 74.8% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 97.9 | 48.6 | 37-86 | 42.8% | 7-21 | 33.9% | 17-23 | 75.6% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 19 | 8 | 15 | 3 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: HOUSTON 96.7, GOLDEN STATE 95.9 |
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| 4/18/2015 | DALLAS | 118-108 | W | -5.5 | W | 213 | O | 38-85 | 44.7% | 58 | 13 | 44-99 | 44.4% | 60 | 17 | | 4/21/2015 | DALLAS | 111-99 | W | -6.5 | W | 215 | U | 39-88 | 44.3% | 61 | 11 | 33-89 | 37.1% | 53 | 8 | | 4/24/2015 | @ DALLAS | 130-128 | W | 1 | W | 216 | O | 48-93 | 51.6% | 51 | 14 | 45-86 | 52.3% | 50 | 10 | | 4/26/2015 | @ DALLAS | 109-121 | L | -2.5 | L | 218.5 | O | 38-81 | 46.9% | 53 | 10 | 51-94 | 54.3% | 59 | 15 | | 4/28/2015 | DALLAS | 103-94 | W | -8 | W | 221.5 | U | 37-82 | 45.1% | 66 | 21 | 35-92 | 38.0% | 59 | 18 | | 5/4/2015 | LA CLIPPERS | 101-117 | L | -7.5 | L | 212 | O | 38-84 | 45.2% | 49 | 23 | 41-84 | 48.8% | 58 | 21 | | 5/6/2015 | LA CLIPPERS | 115-109 | W | -8 | L | 214.5 | O | 34-80 | 42.5% | 73 | 14 | 39-86 | 45.3% | 49 | 11 | | 5/8/2015 | @ LA CLIPPERS | 99-124 | L | 6 | L | 215 | O | 35-88 | 39.8% | 54 | 15 | 46-83 | 55.4% | 53 | 18 | | 5/10/2015 | @ LA CLIPPERS | 95-128 | L | 6.5 | L | 217 | O | 34-83 | 41.0% | 60 | 18 | 39-79 | 49.4% | 70 | 10 | | 5/12/2015 | LA CLIPPERS | 124-103 | W | 3 | W | 219 | O | 46-85 | 54.1% | 68 | 11 | 38-91 | 41.8% | 52 | 7 | | 5/14/2015 | @ LA CLIPPERS | 119-107 | W | 8.5 | W | 220.5 | O | 37-87 | 42.5% | 73 | 9 | 38-91 | 41.8% | 53 | 8 | | 5/17/2015 | LA CLIPPERS | 113-100 | W | 2.5 | W | 219 | U | 35-78 | 44.9% | 56 | 16 | 41-92 | 44.6% | 54 | 18 | | 5/19/2015 | @ GOLDEN STATE | 106-110 | L | 10.5 | W | 220 | U | 40-86 | 46.5% | 60 | 15 | 43-92 | 46.7% | 53 | 12 | | 5/21/2015 | @ GOLDEN STATE | 98-99 | L | 9.5 | W | 219 | U | 39-84 | 46.4% | 46 | 10 | 41-77 | 53.2% | 45 | 16 | | 5/23/2015 | GOLDEN STATE | 80-115 | L | -1.5 | L | 216.5 | U | 28-83 | 33.7% | 52 | 15 | 44-97 | 45.4% | 72 | 13 | | 5/25/2015 | GOLDEN STATE | 128-115 | W | 4.5 | W | 214.5 | O | 43-76 | 56.6% | 60 | 16 | 44-97 | 45.4% | 50 | 15 | | 5/27/2015 | @ GOLDEN STATE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 4/18/2015 | NEW ORLEANS | 106-99 | W | -12.5 | L | 205 | P | 37-81 | 45.7% | 60 | 15 | 35-83 | 42.2% | 50 | 14 | | 4/20/2015 | NEW ORLEANS | 97-87 | W | -13.5 | L | 206.5 | U | 38-86 | 44.2% | 59 | 13 | 31-82 | 37.8% | 53 | 13 | | 4/23/2015 | @ NEW ORLEANS | 123-119 | W | -5 | L | 203.5 | O | 42-104 | 40.4% | 55 | 10 | 46-90 | 51.1% | 61 | 14 | | 4/25/2015 | @ NEW ORLEANS | 109-98 | W | -6 | W | 208 | U | 40-79 | 50.6% | 48 | 10 | 40-83 | 48.2% | 42 | 11 | | 5/3/2015 | MEMPHIS | 101-86 | W | -10.5 | W | 196 | U | 39-77 | 50.6% | 45 | 15 | 33-73 | 45.2% | 43 | 15 | | 5/5/2015 | MEMPHIS | 90-97 | L | -10 | L | 198 | U | 31-74 | 41.9% | 52 | 20 | 37-83 | 44.6% | 45 | 13 | | 5/9/2015 | @ MEMPHIS | 89-99 | L | -4 | L | 197 | U | 32-74 | 43.2% | 46 | 17 | 37-82 | 45.1% | 53 | 14 | | 5/11/2015 | @ MEMPHIS | 101-84 | W | -4 | W | 196 | U | 38-80 | 47.5% | 52 | 21 | 33-88 | 37.5% | 54 | 16 | | 5/13/2015 | MEMPHIS | 98-78 | W | -10 | W | 198 | U | 38-81 | 46.9% | 49 | 16 | 33-83 | 39.8% | 48 | 16 | | 5/15/2015 | @ MEMPHIS | 108-95 | W | -5 | W | 193 | O | 41-81 | 50.6% | 55 | 12 | 34-91 | 37.4% | 52 | 3 | | 5/19/2015 | HOUSTON | 110-106 | W | -10.5 | L | 220 | U | 43-92 | 46.7% | 53 | 12 | 40-86 | 46.5% | 60 | 15 | | 5/21/2015 | HOUSTON | 99-98 | W | -9.5 | L | 219 | U | 41-77 | 53.2% | 45 | 16 | 39-84 | 46.4% | 46 | 10 | | 5/23/2015 | @ HOUSTON | 115-80 | W | 1.5 | W | 216.5 | U | 44-97 | 45.4% | 72 | 13 | 28-83 | 33.7% | 52 | 15 | | 5/25/2015 | @ HOUSTON | 115-128 | L | -4.5 | L | 214.5 | O | 44-97 | 45.4% | 50 | 15 | 43-76 | 56.6% | 60 | 16 | | 5/27/2015 | HOUSTON | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | HOUSTON: GUARDS: The postseason was a different story for JAMES HARDEN, but he was a dominant all-around performer during the past two regular seasons. He'll do the bulk of the ball-handling for the up-tempo Rockets . . . After looking for an upgrade during the offseason, it's back to PATRICK BEVERLEY at the point. He's the No. 4 or 5 option on offense, but his defense will keep him on the floor . . . There's little backcourt depth, so rookie NICK JOHNSON has a shot at the rotation. He's NBA-ready as a defender, but his offensive game is shaky . . . ISH SMITH will push for that back-up point guard job . . . ISAIAH CANAAN will have to shoot the lights out early to get a look in the rotation . . . FRANCISCO GARCIA is still here as a 3-and-D option. FORWARDS: TREVOR ARIZA slides into Chandler Parsons' old role, providing defense and three-point shooting. He has a chance for a career-best output offensively . . . The Rockets know they need an upgrade over TERRENCE JONES, but they struck out during the offseason. He's a hustle guy, but he's too much of a defensive liability at the 4-spot . . . After disappearing last season, DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS has a chance to play himself into a thin frontcourt rotation. He's a potential 7-foot floor spacer . . . JEFF ADRIEN will be a "little things" guy in the second unit . . . They wanted to leave CLINT CAPELA overseas, but he'll be in Houston. He might be the future at the 4-spot, but he's years away . . . KOSTAS PAPANIKOLAOU has potential as a versatile bench option. CENTERS: DWIGHT HOWARD looked healthy again and was, at times, dominant. His game still has obvious flaws, namely free-throw shooting and an inability to step away from the basket, but there's no reason he can't flirt with 20-10 nightly while being among the league leaders in blocks . . . Ex-Rocket JOEY DORSEY returns after a strong stint in Spain. He'll bring some muscle (and six fouls) behind Howard. | | GOLDEN STATE: GUARDS: New head coach Steve Kerr doesn't figure to tweak this system much, so expect STEPHEN CURRY to keep doing his thing. He's added elite playmaking skills to his already outstanding deep shooting . . . The Warriors are reluctant to part with KLAY THOMPSON in part because of his three-point shooting, but mostly because of his defensive value alongside Curry . . . SHAUN LIVINGSTON will back up both guard spots. He's also the only proven point guard on the roster besides Curry . . . BRANDON RUSH will look to revive his career in Oakland. He'll have to prove his knees are healthy enough before he earns a rotation spot . . . It's a make or break year already for NEMANJA NEDOVIC, who was severely overmatched as a rookie. FORWARDS: ANDRE IGUODALA is a defensive specialist and no more than a role player on offense. His main job is to take some of the playmaking duties away from Curry . . . Kerr seems resigned to the fact that he's stuck with DAVID LEE. He has some value on offense, but remains one of the league's worst defensive frontcourt players. Expect him to lose some minutes under Kerr . . . HARRISON BARNES will play a bit of power forward in some small lineups, but mostly he'll play a wing spot. Barnes will have to regain his confidence early if he's going to be an impact sixth man . . . Kerr has hinted at a bigger role for DRAYMOND GREEN, who will play some stretch-4 this year . . . MARREESE SPEIGHTS gives them an offense-only big man off the bench. CENTERS: Kerr has hinted at a bigger offensive role for ANDREW BOGUT. But monitoring the Aussie's minutes may be the bigger goal, to ensure he's actually available for the postseason . . . Back-up center FESTUS EZELI should be ready to return from his knee injury, though he was having shin problems during Summer League. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW (HOUSTON-GOLDEN STATE) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Updates with NBA upholding Howard's flagrant 1 foul. With AP Photos.)
*Rockets-Warriors Preview* ==========================
By ANTONIO GONZALEZ AP Basketball Writer
Houston At Golden State, Game Five, 9:00 p.m. EDT
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- One play. One fall. One bad break.
That's all it takes to shift a series and derail a dream season.
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors found out how fragile a championship chase can be in their Game 4 loss at Houston when the NBA MVP took a scary spill that nearly gave a storybook season a frightening twist.
Instead, the moment just serves as a reminder to both teams: nothing is over till it's over.
The Warriors will get another chance to close out the Rockets on Wednesday night at home and advance to the franchise's first NBA Finals in 40 years. Golden State, which leads the Western Conference finals 3-1, is eager to end the series now and avoid more opportunities for something strange to happen.
"We just don't want to come back to Houston," Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. "It's not going to be easy. They are here for a reason. We have to come and play with more intensity and play together and we'll win the game."
Eight months of work almost came crashing down for the Warriors when Curry jumped in the air as Trevor Ariza started to shoot a layup midway through the second quarter Monday night. Ariza saw him and stopped abruptly, causing Curry to tumble over him.
Curry's head hit the court hard and his arms bent awkwardly. He remained on the floor for several minutes, walked to the locker room looking stunned and returned in the second half after the team said he passed the league-mandated concussion tests.
"It could have been a lot worse," Curry said.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday, a travel day for both teams, that Curry is doing just fine - other than the bruise on his head - and should be ready to go for Game 5.
The Rockets could relate to losing a key player in a flash - albeit for a slightly different reason.
Dwight Howard, who received a flagrant 1 foul early in the third quarter after throwing an elbow at Andrew Bogut's head, could've been suspended for a game by accumulation of flagrant foul points if the NBA upgraded the call to a flagrant 2 after review.
NBA President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said the league agreed with the game officials and saw no reason to change the call. Before the league announced the ruling, Rockets coach Kevin McHale argued that Howard was retaliating after contact made by Bogut and the foul should not be upgraded.
"I guess the one thing we'll learn is we should be the first one to grab," McHale quipped.
With Howard's help, the Rockets are trying to do what no NBA team ever has: come back to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first three games.
Houston hardly seems afraid of the moment. The Rockets became just the ninth team to rally from 3-1 down when they stunned the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round, and they believe that experience has prepared them for an even tougher task ahead.
"Our season comes down to winning one road game," McHale said. "That's not going to be anything new."
Here are some things to look for in Game 5:
RAINING THREES: The long ball has carried both teams all season - and perhaps now more than ever. In Game 4, the Warriors made 20 3-pointers and Houston hit 17 to set an NBA record for most 3-pointers combined in a playoff game. It'll be interesting to see what, if any, defensive adjustments each team makes on the outside.
GOING FOR FORTY: The MVP vs. the runner-up has lived up to the hype so far. Curry scored 40 in Golden State's 115-80 win in Game 3, and Harden followed up a poor performance with 45 points in Houston's 128-115 win in Game 4. Both teams will continue to rely on their leading men to carry them.
CRASHING THE BOARDS: Houston got back to playing big inside after a horrendous showing in Game 3, when the Warriors grabbed 21 more rebounds than the Rockets and highlights of Curry boxing out Howard were shown repeatedly. Golden State still won the rebounding battle in Game 4, but just 47-46.
EMERGING SHOOTERS: Both teams got a big lift from a player who had been struggling with his shot and are hoping the trend continues. Josh Smith scored 20 points on 7-for-8 shooting, including 3 for 4 from 3-point range, in Game 4. Klay Thompson finally found his stroke late in the first half, too. He scored 24 points and made 6 of 13 3-pointers.
HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE: If the Rockets want to pull off a historic comeback, they'll need to win twice on Golden State's home floor. The Warriors are 45-3 at raucous Oracle Arena, including 6-1 in the playoffs. The Rockets played well in the first two games in Oakland but lost 110-106 and 99-98. Houston last won at Oracle Arena on Dec. 13, 2013.
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AP Sports Writer Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this story.
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| | Last Updated: 4/26/2024 2:43:51 AM EST. |
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