/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46412778/usa-today-8584457.0.jpg)
Despite shooting just 22% in the first quarter, the Golden State Warriors managed to hang around and head into halftime with a 52-46 lead over the Houston Rockets.
That puts them in pretty good position to advance to the 2015 NBA Finals.
Warriors enter halftime with the 52-46 lead over the Rockets. Golden State is 9-0 when leading at intermission this postseason.
— GSWStats (@gswstats) May 28, 2015
Klay Thompson came up huge in the second quarter with 13 of his game-high 15 points, including a few nicely executed threes off of screens. Unfortunately, Thompson picked up a third foul while trying to defend Corey Brewer in transition mid-way through the second quarter and had to sit down. And foul trouble could be a factor in the second half: both Thompson and Andre Iguodala have three fouls for the Warriors.
For the Rockets, Dwight Howard led the way with a team-high 12 points and looked like every bit of the dominant center that everyone thinks he is with dominant post play and powerful finishes at the rim. However, foul trouble will definitely play a role for the Rockets if they were to win tonight: Howard and Andrew Bogut picked up double technicals after some pushing in the second quarter, which means Howard will be suspended next game if the foul isn't rescinded.
Bogut and Howard get called for a double technical foul. With that tech, Howard will be suspended if there's a Game 6.
— Rusty Simmons (@Rusty_SFChron) May 28, 2015
As fun as it would be to see if Howard can beat the system once again, the Warriors are one half away from advancing to the Finals.
Let's hope the Warriors move on and don't have to worry about what the league will decide from afar.