Rockets too much for Warriors late, stay alive with Game 6 win
SAN FRANCISCO — Fred VanVleet delivered a standout performance with 29 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds, while Alperen ΕengΓΌn added a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds to help the Houston Rockets defeat the Golden State Warriors 115–107 on Friday night. The win forces a decisive Game 7 in their first-round playoff series.
The Warriors faltered in crunch time, going ice-cold during a critical stretch in the fourth quarter. After Draymond Green’s basket at the 10:12 mark, Golden State missed 13 consecutive shots before Stephen Curry finally hit a three-pointer with 3:35 remaining.
With the series now tied 3–3, both teams will return to Houston for Sunday’s winner-take-all Game 7. The victor will advance to face a well-rested Minnesota Timberwolves team in the Western Conference semifinals—a scenario the Warriors had hoped to avoid by closing out the series at home.
Speaking with ESPN postgame, VanVleet broke down Houston’s game plan for their dominant finish: “Just make everything tough,” he said. “We know what they’re capable of, so it was about contesting every shot, playing physical, and using our size at the rim. On offense, we just stayed aggressive.”
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"I just think just our youth and out athleticism can wear on them over the course of the game, and we were able to have some success on them late."
Curry scored 29 points but shot 9-of-23, going 6-for-16 from deep. Jimmy Butler added 27 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists.
Houston coach Ime Udoka improved to 5-1 when facing elimination.
VanVleet converted a four-point play to start the fourth quarter after the Warriors had pulled within two with Curry's flurry to end the third. Jalen Green scored the next time down on a putback of his own miss. Then, VanVleet's 3 from the top with 6:47 remaining put Houston up 101-89.
"We can't give up a four-point play in a two-point game," Draymond Green said.
Curry's driving layup with 39 seconds left in the third made it a four-point game, firing up the home crowd in bright yellow playoff shirts with matching rally towels. He then made two free throws as the Warriors pulled to within 86-84.
But the Warriors couldn't keep it going. With a balanced effort on both ends -- including 17 points and hustle plays by big man Steven Adams off the bench -- Houston had an answer nearly every time Golden State threatened or made a big play.
The Warriors led 3-1 in the series but fell behind in a hurry in a 131-116 Game 5 loss Wednesday night as Houston's offense rolled after averaging 98 points through the first four games of the series.
VanVleet was brilliant again. He shot 7-for-13 from the floor after consecutive games going 8-for-13, and he converted all nine of his free throws. And from 3-point range the past three games, he's 18 for 27.
"He's comfortable, he's getting where he wants to get to," Draymond Green said. "Somehow you've got to break that up."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.