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Houston Rockets Finally Get a Win vs Warriors! – Team Grades

By Andre Cantalogo

Apr 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) dribbles the ball as Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) defends during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) dribbles the ball as Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) defends during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a 0-2 deficit, the Houston Rockets hosted the Golden State Warriors hoping to change their fortunes and extend the series beyond 4 games. And with Stephen Curry out once again it seemed like a done deal: It was far from it but the Rockets got their win!

97. 169. 96. 41.

Already entering desperation zone, the Houston Rockets had to win tonight at home to force game 5 and avoid a sweep.

However, differently from the first two games in the Bay Area, the Texan team played with a lot of intensity from the first second the clock ticked.

Forcing drives and drawing block fouls the Rockets led by Harden and Beverley in the first quarter got a lot of the Warriors in foul trouble early (perhaps also favored by some dubious whistles..) and completely dominated the half.

From the dubs side it looked like the “scrimmage session” was over and Draymond Green was left having to lift all the weight until an unlikely hero emerged in the form of Marreese Speights who was knocking down everything from free-throws to three-point shots.

The Rockets managed to maintain a healthy margin until the fourth quarter when after slowly climbing back all night the Warriors got within 1 point of the Rockets. With a tight score the Warriors went for the hack-a Howard in the final minutes of the 4th quarter as a last resort and finally took the lead. In the last possessions the Rockets played lock down defense and ended up with a hard fought win despite two terrible inbound plays by Trevor Ariza.

Rockets Starters Player Grades

D. That was <a href=. SF. Houston Rockets. TREVOR ARIZA

A. I completely loved how <a href=. PF-C. Houston Rockets. DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS

A. <a href=. C. Houston Rockets. DWIGHT HOWARD

A. The Beard shot like his life depended on it tonight. He wasn’t effective on the long shot but his drives often resulted in baskets or alley-oop passes. Nevertheless <a href=. SG. Houston Rockets. JAMES HARDEN

B-. It’s true that <a href=. PG. Houston Rockets. PATRICK BEVERLEY

Rockets Reserves Player Grades

JOSH SMITH. B-. <a href=. PF. Houston Rockets

INC. No love for Clint Capela in this series as he keeps warming the bench. This time only 5 minutes for him on court.. C. Houston Rockets. CLINT CAPELA

Houston Rockets. COREY BREWER. INC. Thankfully played for only 3 minutes.. SG

B. The JET played well tonight acting mostly as a spot up shooter, but he keeps getting massive playing time and it should be worrying that the Rockets rely on the veteran to play that much in such an important game. <a href=. G. Houston Rockets. JASON TERRY

B+. Tonight during the broadcast Matt Bullard said something about why <a href=. PF. Houston Rockets. MICHAEL BEASLEY

Rockets Head Coach Grade

D. Bickerstaff did well by keeping Corey Brewer on the bench and that was about the only good thing he did this entire series. He simply over or under uses his bench. Tonight the Rockets had only two bench players with over 5 minutes of playing time. His bench scored 16 points against Warriors’ 41. No K.J. once again, no Capela once again.. Head Coach. Houston Rockets. J.B. BICKERSTAFF

Best Opponent:

A. I’ll say it once again: unless the Rockets find an answer to <a href=. PG. Golden State Warriors. SHAUN LIVINGSTON

PG. Golden State Warriors. MARREESE SPEIGHTS. A. It’s completely unbelievable what confidence is doing for the Golden State Warriors. Now <a href=

Make sure you check out Space City Scoops end of season Rockets Round Table:

Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 1

Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 2

Next: Houston Rockets SCS Roundtable Part 3

Next: One Last Chance

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