OAKLAND — Stephen Curry was not himself in Games 1 and 2. He was exposed defensively, and his twitchy offensive game was not its typical lethal self, as the superstar point guard combined for 2/13 from three-point range in two games.
It seemed he was poised to bust out of a drought upon returning to the place he has dazzled.
“Steph and Oracle — that’s a good combination,” Steve Kerr said earlier this week.
That combination was too much for the Rockets to overcome, as Curry got it going in the second half of Golden State’s 126-85 win.
He entered the half, the Warriors leading the Houston Rockets, 54-43, 3-11 from the floor with nine points. Then he scored five points in the first 1:11. A few minutes passed, and Curry scored seven consecutive points, making swooping underhanded floaters and 30-foot three-pointers look much easier than they are. Curry was fully unleashed, and he did not stop. He scored five more consecutive points just a couple minutes later.
In about nine incredible minutes, he scored 18 points. He yelled and shimmied for Oracle Arena’s delight.
Worries regarding Curry’s lack of lateral movement, perhaps lingering effects from a Grade 2 MCL sprain that sidelined him for 16 games, surrounded the two-time NBA MVP entering Sunday. He rarely shoots as poorly as he did for two straight games. For the Warriors to ultimately prevail in this series, they would need Curry to be Curry.
That is what they got Sunday night.
Curry scored 35 points on 13-23 shooting in the blowout win. Kevin Durant methodically picked the Rockets apart, chipping in 25 points.
After allowing 127 points in a a 22-point Game 2 loss, the Warriors clamped down on the defensive end in Game 3. Kerr started the Death Lineup, allowing for more versatility with Andre Iguodala alongside the four All-Stars. The Warriors held the Rockets to 34.9 percent shooting in the first half. Chris Paul did not score until 2:59 remaining in the second quarter. The Warriors rotated and contested effectively, flying around the floor and using missed shots and turnovers to fuel their offense.
They struggled to find their range early, missing 14 of 18 first half three-pointers. It felt that an explosion was forthcoming, especially in the third quarter, where the Warriors outscored opponents by a league-leading 377 points during the regular season.
Like clockwork.
Behind Curry’s sharp shooting, the Warriors shot out to a 10-0 run. When the Rockets cut the Warriors lead to 13 with 7:05 remaining in the third quarter, Golden State launched an 18-2 run.
These lethal, quick-hitting runs, perhaps more than anything else, is what has made these Warriors impossible — literally — to beat in Oracle Arena throughout these playoffs. In the opening round, they launched a 24-2 run. Last series, a 25-4 run. They have now won 16 consecutive home playoff games dating back to the 2017 season.
The Warriors lead the series 2-1 ahead of Tuesday night’s Game 4 matchup.