Team Overviews
The Warriors. After celebrating an incredible Game 4 victory on Sunday and Coach Kerr's Coach of the Year announcement yesterday, it's back to business for Golden State. If they want to close out the series, they're going to do it without their fearless leader Stephen Curry.
Curry, who suffered a knee injury before the half, fired up our squad that rallied together, outscoring the Rockets 41-20 in the 3rd. It brought our team together, capturing a huge victory in Houston.
Stephen Curry injury update:
Warriors say Curry has MCL sprain; out about two weeks: https://t.co/VahKpgTPt0
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) April 26, 2016
Congrats on a job well done Coach Kerr!
Congratulations to @SteveKerr on being named the 2015-16 @NBA Coach of the Year! #DubNation pic.twitter.com/7sLzpZLEzK
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) April 26, 2016
The Rockets could be playing their last game of the season if they don't make adjustments. They'll be doing it with a rowdy Roaracle Crowd around them. If Houston wants to steal a win in Oakland tonight, they're going to need to get everyone involved. You've got James Harden averaging 24.5 points and Dwight Howard, who's been recording double-doubles in the last 4 games, but what they really need to fill those gaps is to get everyone contributing. They're going to need to have an incredible shooting night if they want to compete with Golden State.
Injury updates:
Patrick Beverley day-to-day, Rockets' heart day-to-day with it https://t.co/yT9Vq0Kjk5 pic.twitter.com/3y1G0xOacR
— The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) April 25, 2016
Other news: Wishing CP3 a quick recovery, would have been great to play against him in the second round...
Chris Paul has a third metacarpal fracture in his right hand, according to the Clippers.
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) April 26, 2016
Key to the game: Put the pressure on Houston.
After Golden State's incredible 3rd quarter/41 point performance led by Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on Sunday, this is the tempo and style of play the team needs to perform going into Game 5. Put the pressure on Houston defensively by forcing turnovers and out rebound them. If Klay returns with an encore performance from Game 4, you can call this game a wrap.
Highlights/Predictions:
- Coach Kerr, who just won his Coach of the Year award, is going to have two big tasks tonight. Get his team to close out the series tonight and do it without our MVP, Stephen Curry. We've got the man power to pull it off, Kerr's leadership direction is key.
- Klay Thompson set the net on fire with his amazing 3rd quarter performance on Sunday, as he had 23 points in that game. With Curry out, all eyes will be on him to avoid a game 6.
- Draymond Green. It's never a bad idea to predict a triple double from this man. So long as he's fired up, the heartbeat of this team will do it big for the Warriors tonight.
- Harrison Barnes. This is his night. If he wants to show he's worth a max contract, from here on out, this is where the Falcon steals the show. I've always been a fan and he's been the X-factor of this team that can really make a difference.
Win Prediction: Let's call it a wrap and prep for Round 2. Warriors win it at home 126-98.
ICYMI: (Posts from GSoM)
Steve Kerr wins NBA Coach of the Year
Mark Cuban: Draymond Green is not a superstar
Podcast: What does Stephen Curry's injury mean for the Warriors playoff hopes?
NBA News: Stephen Curry has a Grade 1 MCL sprain and will be reevaluated in 2 weeks
Stephen Curry's knee injury: What we know and what to expect