Stephen Curry showcased his remarkable talent by scoring a game-high 36 points as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets 104-93 on Saturday night, taking a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. The Warriors faced the challenge without their injured star, Jimmy Butler III, who was sidelined with a glute contusion from the previous game.
In a display of team effort, Gary Payton II contributed a crucial 16 points, with nine coming in a strong late-game push. Additionally, Buddy Hield added five 3-pointers to reach 17 points. Rookie Quinten Post, making his postseason debut, secured a game-high 12 rebounds, helping the seventh-seeded Warriors maintain home court advantage for the upcoming game on Monday.
Curry commented on the nature of the series, stating, “This series, no game is going to be pretty. You just kinda have to grind it out.” The Warriors managed to close the gap and enter halftime only trailing by three, 49-46, after an 18-point first quarter against the Rockets.
The lead exchanged hands several times in the second half with Dillon Brooks briefly pushing the Rockets ahead 84-83 before Payton turned the tide with a personal nine-point run that put the Warriors up 92-86 late in the game. As the clock wound down, Curry secured his fifth three-pointer of the night, contributing to the Warriors’ decisive win.
Curry’s performance not only marked the 60th time he has scored 30 points in the playoffs, but he also recorded seven rebounds and nine assists. Rockets’ Fred VanVleet acknowledged Curry’s impact, admitting their defense struggled against him compared to their Game 2 performance.
This victory highlights the resilience of the Warriors, showcasing how they stepped up collectively in the absence of Butler. They are now poised to extend their series lead to 3-1 with another home win in the next game.
Fans can look forward to seeing if the Warriors can continue their momentum and if the Rockets can find an answer to counter their offensive strategies as the playoffs unfold. With both teams showcasing their strengths, the excitement continues to build for the upcoming matches.
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