The Golden State Warriors handed the Houston Rockets their worst playoff loss in franchise history in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday. As we roll into Game 4, the stakes are even higher. Will the Warriors push the Rockets to the brink of elimination or will Houston be able to even the series?
Here's a full Game 4 preview and prediction:
Game 4 Info
When: 9:00 p.m. EST
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
TV: TNT
Spread: Warriors (-8.5)
O/U: 224
Projected Starting Lineups (with playoff stats)
Houston Rockets
G Chris Paul – 20.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.9 apg
G James Harden – 28.7 ppg, 7.2 apg, 5.3 rpg
F Trevor Ariza – 9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg
F P.J. Tucker – 9.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg
C Clint Capela – 13.4 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 2.4 bpg
Golden State Warriors
G Stephen Curry – 23.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.3 apg
G Klay Thompson – 20.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg
F Kevon Looney – 4.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg
F Kevin Durant – 29.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.4 apg
F Draymond Green – 11.7 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 8.5 apg
What they're saying about the Houston Rockets:
Less rest may work better for Rockets (Houston Chronicle)
Mike D’Antoni, James Harden call Rockets ‘soft’ after Game 3 loss (Fansided)
Rockets implode in humiliating Game 3 loss to Warriors (The Dream Shake)
What they're saying about the Golden State Warriors:
Preview: Iguodala questionable for Game 4 against the Rockets but Warriors undaunted (Golden State of Mind)
Quinn Cook learned the hard way not to take a single minute for granted in the NBA (San Jose Mercury News)
No place like home for record-setting Warriors (SFGate)
Key to the game:
Can Houston weather the inevitable Golden State run?
There are a number of keys to the game - Stephen Curry needs to play well, Houston needs more out of Chris Paul, and the Rockets need to be much better on defense - but the biggest factor in this will be Houston's ability (or inability) to handle the Golden State run that will inevitably come at some point in the game.
Those runs have been the trademark of this Warriors teams, particularly at home, and is a major reason why they've won their last 16 home playoff games in a row. In Game 3, Golden State used an 18-3 run in the third quarter to turn a relatively close game into a blowout. Houston needs to avoid that or answer with a long run of their own to win this game.
Prediction: Warriors win 123-113
Golden State is simply the better team, especially in Oakland, and that will show itself during another one of those patented runs in the second half. I expect Houston to play better and show a lot more fight but this one will never really be in doubt in the second half.
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