Rockets’ Dominant Display Forces Series Back to San Francisco
In a thrilling Game 5, the Houston Rockets blew out the Golden State Warriors 131-116, forcing the series to shift back to Chase Center in San Francisco for Friday’s Game 6. According to the NBA’s official website, the Rockets’ torrid start was the defining factor in the game, with Houston shooting 69.4% from the field in the first half, including 60% from three-point range and 85% from the free throw line.
The Rockets’ dominance was evident from the outset, with the team going on a 15-0 run in the first quarter, fueled by five Warriors fouls in less than five minutes. Golden State coach Steve Kerr was impressed by Houston’s zone defense, which proved effective at the other end, limiting his team’s stars, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, to scoreless starts. "At halftime, their effective field goal [percentage] was 95%. I’ve never seen that in my life. You’re not winning that game," Kerr said, as reported by the NBA.
The Rockets’ guards, Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet, had a significant impact on the game, with Green scoring 38 points in Game 2, but struggling to find consistency in the series’ first four games. However, VanVleet, one of the few Rockets with extensive playoff experience, began to find his rhythm, scoring 25 points in Game 4 and 26 points in Game 5. "Such a lopsided start for the home team meant that multiple Rockets had things working. Two in particular were guards Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet, who had been inconsistent through the series’ first four games," the NBA reported.
The Warriors, despite their struggles, showed resilience in the fourth quarter, with their bench players leading a 19-5 run to pull within 13 points. Kerr was delighted with his bench’s performance, which accounted for 76 points. "They forced Houston to bring their starters back. They set a tone that we’re going to need for Game 6. And even though we lost the game, I thought it was crucial that we fought the way we did in the fourth quarter. It was an important finish," he said, as quoted by the NBA.
The game also saw some intense physicality, with a skirmish in the fourth quarter involving Golden State’s Pat Spencer and Houston center Alperen Sengun. The tension between the teams was palpable, with coaches and players from both sides getting involved. "This series started with plenty of bumping and holding. Five games in, such physicality has increased. And this time, some lesser-used Warriors were the night’s biggest aggressors," the NBA reported.
In related news, Curry has been playing with a taped right thumb, an injury he has not publicly addressed. Kerr spoke about Houston defenders targeting Curry’s hand, focusing on creating contact whenever possible, particularly "on every release" of his shots. The league’s coaches have expressed concerns about this tactic, with Kerr calling for it to be re-classified as a foul.
The series now shifts back to San Francisco, with the Warriors looking to stay alive in Game 6. The Rockets, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum and take control of the series. According to the NBA, the game is set to tip off at 9 ET on ESPN.
