Warriors’ Victory and Play-In Position
The Golden State Warriors secured a convincing 133-110 victory over the Houston Rockets, widening the gap between the two teams to four games. With this win, the Warriors are on the brink of securing at least a spot in the play-in tournament. Despite both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson scoring 29 points each in another high-scoring victory, Curry emphasized the importance of defense, stating, “We know we can score against most teams, but defense has always been our identity.”
Thompson’s Stellar Performance
The Warriors never trailed throughout the game, taking a commanding 15-point lead into halftime. Thompson’s impressive shooting performance, going 7 for 11 from three-point range, was crucial for the Warriors. Coach Steve Kerr praised Thompson’s relaxed demeanor, noting his early rhythm in the game.
Kerr’s Focus on Momentum
Kerr emphasized that his focus is not on the team’s record or standings but on consolidating the team’s current momentum. He stressed the importance of maintaining their performance in the remaining six games of the season.
Thompson’s Sense of Urgency
Thompson echoed Kerr’s sentiment, expressing the team’s awareness of the importance of the upcoming games and the need for a sense of urgency in completing their tasks.
Rockets’ Defensive Lapses
Rockets coach Ime Udoka highlighted the need for improvement in their defense, especially against high-quality opponents like the Warriors. He pointed out communication breakdowns and lack of awareness as contributing factors to their defensive struggles.
Individual Performances
In addition to Curry and Thompson’s contributions, Trayce Jackson-Davis, the 57th overall pick in last year’s draft, had a career-high 20 points for the Warriors. Draymond Green added 8 rebounds and 5 assists despite scoring only 5 points. For the Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. stood out with 24 points.
Playoff Picture
With the win, the Warriors improved to a record of 42-34. While their chances of securing a direct playoff spot remain slim with a three-game gap, they have comfortably distanced themselves from the Rockets, who are now 38-38. The magic number to clinch a play-in spot and eliminate the Rockets from playoff contention is now down to 2 for the Warriors. (Jilikoa)
