The Golden State Warriors took Game 1 in this series in a contest that went down to the last few possessions.
Game 2 was no different as the Rockets kept fighting back from a huge early deficit.
As the series shifts to Houston, the Warriors hold a strong 2-0 series lead.
Final: Warriors 115, Rockets 109
All five Warriors starters scored in double figures, led by reigning two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant.
KD (27 PTS, 5 REB) led the way in the Bay as the @warriors take a 2-0 lead! 😤#StrengthInNumbers pic.twitter.com/I8IEs5uUNw
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 1, 2019
The Rockets, eventually, lost only by six points but they were down early and were playing catch-up for most of the game. Their 12 first half turnovers had a lot to do with that, leading to Warriors 20 first-half points.
The Warriors' extra shot attempts also came from beating the Rockets on the offensive glass 18-10.
Despite needing to go to the locker rooms in the first quarter, both Stephen Curry and James Harden finished with good games. Both played through the pain but it would be interesting to see whether it would affect their availability for Game 3.
However, given the three days rest in between, both former MVP's should be fine.
End of third quarter: Warriors 82, Rockets 75
The Rockets are not out of this one. They continue to battle by pulling the lead down to 7, courtesy of an 8-0 run to end the period.
Double technicals were handed out to Green and Nene at the end of the third quarter. That's Green's fourth this postseason.
End of 3 on @NBAonTNT: #RunAsOne 75#StrengthInNumbers 82
— NBA (@NBA) May 1, 2019
Kevin Durant: 20 PTS
Klay Thompson: 19 PTS
James Harden: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
Clint Capela: 13 PTS, 9 REB pic.twitter.com/CUtwwxhsT5
Halftime: Warriors 58, Rockets 49
Both teams scored 29 in the second quarter.
More importantly, for the Rockets, James Harden returned to the court and scored all of his 12 first-half points upon returning in the second quarter.
The story so far has been the Rockets' 12 turnovers and 20 points they have allowed the Warriors to score off them. The Warriors have also doubled up the Rockets in paint scoring 28-14.
Klay (13 PTS) left his mark on the first half as the Warriors lead the Rockets! 💦#StrengthInNumbers#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Uqn0n7V4eN
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 1, 2019
While the Warriors have four of their five starters in double figures - Curry (10), Thompson (13), Durant (12) and Iguodala (10) - the Rockets have only James Harden (12) and Austin Rivers (11).
As a team, the Rockets are shooting 10-of-22 from beyond the 3-point line (45.3%) while the Warriors have only made 4 on 16 attempts (25.0%).
End of first quarter: Warriors 29, Rockets 20
Both Stephen Curry and James Harden spend some time in the locker room after getting injured.
While Curry returned after what was reportedly a dislocated left middle finger . Meanwhile, about Harden:
Rockets told me Harden has a laceration on his left eye lid. Is back out on bench. Going to see how he feels and could potentially play again soon. @HoustonRockets @NBAonTNT
— Allie LaForce (@ALaForce) May 1, 2019
After the first 12 minutes the Warriors hold a 9-point lead:
The @warriors are clicking early at Oracle to lead 29-20 after the first 12 minutes of action! 👌#DubNation | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/e4z5idEptz
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 1, 2019
Pregame
Both teams are tipping off Game 2 with the same starting lineups .
The Warriors start with the Hamptons 5:
#DubNation, it's time to meet and greet tonight's starting 5⃣ pic.twitter.com/LnZHzJ6aaZ
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 1, 2019
The Houston Rockets starters are the same as Game 1 - James Harden, Chris Paul, PJ Tucker, Clint Capela, and Eric Gordon.
