2018 NBA WCF: GAME 1 RECAP
1st Quarter
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals started out hot for Houston in the Toyota Center. James Harden started the game off strong with a deep three and a finger roll bucket on Kevin Durant. Draymond appeared butt hurt early, and blatantly shoved Harden and easily got called for an technical.
Harden went on to hit another 3 from the perimeter, and was credited all 9 points for the Rockets just a couple of minutes into the game. Harden, playing like he's been here before.
"Move That Dope" by Future started playing on a Rocket's offensive possession, and that is exactly what the Rockets did. Their ball movement was flawless with Chris Paul and James Harden acting as the point men, and Clint Capella serving as the violent finisher under the basket on many plays. However, whenever the Rockets seemed to finish a great play on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive side of the ball slacked, and gave up countless quick counter plays by the Warriors.
Just about halfway through the first quarter, all life was sucked out of the Toyota Center as Harden went down and appeared to hold his ankle. Chris Paul took over as floor general, especially on defense, as James Harden watched on and rested on the bench with his warm up hoodie on. Houston's bench struggled in the first half. Gerald Green couldn't hit any threes this half and neither could Ryan Anderson as he threw one up himself.
2nd Quarter
Steph Curry had a total of 9 points in the first half going 1-3 from the three point line. Chris Paul on the other hand had a total of 11, going 2-5 from the three point line going into halftime. Chris Paul played aggressively in the second quarter, he chirped Durant as KD complained about a no call. The consensus among the commentators through lip reading was that Chris Paul was telling KD, "Play ball!"
Harden ends up checking back in after an "and-1" play by Livingston.
James Harden hit a 3, his fourth, making him 4/6 in three pointers. With just a minute to go in the half, James Harden then takes it to the basket for a wild one handed jam. Rockets go up three in the half. Nick Young quickly silences Travis Scott and Rockets fans by hitting a sleek three, his third, making him 3/3 from the perimeter to tie up the score at half 56-56. Swaggy P with 9 points in the third, appearing like a great 6th man for the Warriors in the first half of Game 1.
James Harden leading the stat line with 24 points in the first half, going 4/6 from the three point line.
Kevin Durant leads Golden State's stat line with 17 points. Game is tied 56-56. What a half.
3rd quarter
Trevor Ariza opens up the quarter getting into serious foul trouble as he racks up his 5th personal foul with about 9:30 left to go in the 3rd.
While Kevin Durant continued to heat up this quarter, the game remained tight at 73-70 GS, with 6 minutes to go. Steph Curry comes up with a steal and quickly dishes the rock to Andre Iguodala for the go ahead slam. Iguodala, the veteran, has just 6 points in the game thus far. Mike D'Antoni calls for a timeout to talk it over with his players on the floor.
Houston struggled to hit shots inside that they would need to convert if they did not want the Warriors to run away with this one. The Rockets desperately need more guys off the bench getting involved to relieve Harden and Paul on the offensive end. The Warriors straight up out hustled the Rockets in the third quarter in offensive rebounds and in the transition. Rockets have 11 turnovers versus the Warriors 6, 2 minutes left in the third quarter.
Finally, Gerald Green and Eric Gordon showing life off the bench by consecutively hitting a three pointer each to close out the quarter.
4th Quarter
Klay Thompson with 22 points, 8-14 from the field, hits his 5th three pointer of the game and quickly becoming a problem for the Rockets.
On the flip, Mbah a Moute simply cannot find success from the perimeter but for some reason keeps chucking up threes. Harden to check in with under 9 minutes to go in the final quarter. Rockets are down 9, 94-85 GS.
KD hits a screaming three in Harden's face making it 99-87. Golden State has morale, and will soon tap Lawler's Law odds (93% of teams to score 100 points first win).
Harden hits a step back mid range in Curry's face. Harden has 36 points and is 13/19 from the floor. Warriors lead 102-93. The Beard is able to hit his 5th three, tallying 39 points. 103-96 Golden State, 4 minutes to go in the quarter.
Thompson wide open for three, extends the Warriors' lead making it a ten point game as D'Antoni calls his second to last timeout with 3:50 to go in the fourth. This man Klay is built with chocolate milk. 106-96 Warriors.
Draymond Green continues to serve as the enforcer for Golden State's defense, blocking Eric Gordon's potential three point shot while playing safety in the back court. With a little over two minutes left in the game, Harden is at the free throw line. He is 8 for 10 from the line in Game 1 thus far and the Rockets still trail by 10.
Steph Curry takes it to the basket for an easy right handed lay up,112-100 Golden State.
As the clock continues to wind, and fans begin to file out, the energy in the stadium deflates. In reflection, the contest was tight for the majority of the game, but I believe the bench and turnovers made the difference for Golden State in this Game 1 matchup. But don't be quick to count the Rockets out of this series, there is much more basketball to be played.
Warriors go on to take Game 1, with a final score of 119-106.
