Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from Game 4 against the Warriors

The Houston Rockets pulled off their biggest win of the season in Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors. Here are three takeaways from the game.

Before Game 4, Mike D’Antoni told reporters that all of the pressure was on the Warriors. Coach D’Antoni was probably playing a psychological trick, because this was a must win game for Houston.

We all remember what happened in 2016, but all 3-1 jokes aside, a loss in Game 4 would’ve put Houston in a very difficult position. Their backs were against the wall, but Houston responded by playing perhaps their best defensive game of the season.

Golden State came out of the gates on fire. They lit into the Rockets, opening the game on a 12-0 run. A repeat of Game 3 looked certain, Houston’s season was on its last leg. This game looked over before it started.

Somehow, the Rockets rallied. Chris Paul led the way with 14 points in the second period and Houston took a 53-46 lead into halftime.

After the break, the Warriors made their typical third quarter run. Stephen Curry went into another zone, nailing 3-pointers on three straight possessions and then finishing with a finger roll after Houston forced him off of the perimeter. Curry finished the third quarter with 17 points, matching Houston’s output for the period. The Warriors led 80-70 heading into the fourth quarter and they were just 12 minutes from essentially ending the series.

In the fourth quarter, Houston’s defense became the star of the show. The Rockets held Golden State to just 12 points in the fourth period and they came back to win the game 95-92. This game was a nail biter for sure and it was easily the most competitive game of either conference finals series. Without further ado, lets examine the three takeaways from Game 4.

Next: No. 3