NBA WEST FINALS: CURRY EXPLODES IN GAME 3; WARRIORS GROUND ROCKETS WITH 41 POINTS VICTORY, 126-85
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 21 May 2018
OAKLAND, CA ? Two-time MVP Stephen Curry found his touch and exploded with 35 points in 34 minutes of play that helped ground the Rockets 126-85 to take a 2-1 lead in their best of seven Western Conference Finals series here Sunday night (Monday morning in Manila).
Kevin Durant contributed 25 points, Klay Thompson 13 points while Draymond Green and Andre Igoudala added 10 points each for a well-rounded offensive play by the Hampton Five.
James Harden had 20 points for the losing Rockets while Chris Paul and Clink Capela added 10 points each.
Houston drew first blood when Clint Capela scored the games first four points hushing the Roaracle Arena's sea of yellow crowd until Draymond Green scored on two free throws off a Capela foul to break ice for the Warriors. The scores stayed close in the first quarter until the Warriors got separation with a 9-0 run to end the quarter to lead by 9 points, 31-22 from a 22-22 deadlock, a lead that they never relinquished the rest of the way.
The second quarter saw the Warriors maintain their lead and added another two points to close the half leading by 11, 54-43.
Top photo: The Warriors unfold their Strength in Numbers banner in the third quarter of their blowout win over the Rockets Sunday evening (Monday morning in Manila) at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA.
Game action during the Warriors-Rockets Game 3 of their Western Conference Finals at the Oracle Arena Sunday.
In the 3rd quarter, the Warriors vaunted run was in full force. A 10-0 punch by Curry, who never got his game going in Game 1 and 2, and Durant at the start of the third quarter increased the lead of the warriors to 64-53 before Rockets coach D'Antoni called a timeout at 10:08. A flurry of 3-pointers by Stephen Curry at the 5-minute mark of the quarter sent the Oracle crowd into a frenzy that saw the Warriors lead to its biggest at 28, 84-56. Chris Paul hit a 3-pointer that started a Rockets rally trimming down the Warriors lead to 21, 88-67 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
There was no letdown for the Warriors in the fourth quarter as their defense held the Rockets the rest of the way while Curry stayed hot to increase the Golden State lead to 107-78 before Houston coach Mike DeAntoni pulled out his starters at 5:12 mark as a sign of surrender.
The Warriors bench increased the lead to 41 at garbage time, exacting revenge to their 22-point loss in the second game.
The fourth game will be in the Oracle Arena on Tuesday, May 22 staring at 6 p.m.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Paradero leaves for Masbate to fight Malupague
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Apr 2024Former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis To Attend Broadway Boxing Tomorrow Night at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Wed, 17 Apr 2024WBO Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Seventh Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 4, in Las Vegas
Wed, 17 Apr 2024The Past Week in Action 16 April 2024: David Papot Wins WBO Global Welter Title; Anderson Outpoints Merhy; Ajagba Edges Vianello
By Eric Armit, Wed, 17 Apr 2024LA Lakers Beat Pelicans for 7th Seed, Secure Rematch With #2 Denver Nuggets; Kings Eliminate Warriors to Face Pelicans for 8th Seed
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 17 Apr 2024Gerald Lumberio rules Tigaon chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 17 Apr 2024Facularin Faces Pagaling in Bantamweight Rumble on April 21 in Manolo Fortich
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Apr 2024Arca suffers first loss to GM
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Apr 2024DENNY AND CASH CLASH FOR EUROPEAN MIDDLEWEIGHT CROWN ON JUNE 22
Tue, 16 Apr 2024Philippine athletics meet slated
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 16 Apr 2024PCNHSlympics 7-Aside Summer football festival on April 27-28
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Apr 2024Press Conference Notes: Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol Meet Face-to-Face ahead of Undisputed Light Heavyweight Showdown
Tue, 16 Apr 2024Biggest Gainers, Losers in the West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 16 Apr 2024Undefeated Junior Welterweight Helmand Alekozai challenges for WBC Middle East title in Dubai
Tue, 16 Apr 2024AGCC sets Summer tournament on May 18-19
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Apr 2024