The Houston Rockets will need to win Game 5 at home against the Golden State Warriors to stay alive in the postseason and extend their first round series.
Rockets vs Warriors Game 5 Preview
The Rockets struggled to lay up with the Warriors’ relentless shooting throughout the series and with Imedoka’s side-face playoff elimination if they can’t win Wednesday at Toyota Center.
Golden State took a 3-1 lead in the Bay on Tuesday thanks to Jimmy Butler’s 27 points, five rebounds and six assists on his return from the pelvic race that struggled in Game 3.
The last team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the postseason was the 2020 Denver Nuggets. So it’s fair to say the Rockets are against this.
Houston didn’t finish the regular season particularly well – losing the final three outings – and those inconsistencies began to permeate the playoffs.
Their offensive struggle was clear as a day, earning under 93 points in two of the four series games so far, bringing the wealth of Golden State experience at this stage to the forefront.
The Rockets have not broken the 110-point barrier in the series so far, and their top five scorers Jalen Green and Fred Vanvleet are shooting less than 40% off the field.
Steph Curry and Butler have formed an impressive partnership since the latter traded to California in February, and their journey doesn’t seem to stop anytime soon.
Curry averages 26 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists, an impressive 26 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the series so far, with 41% shooting from downtown and 51% from the field.
Houston likes to grab the victory on Wednesday and return to Chase Center with points to prove, but they really need the green to step up to do so.
Watch: Crazy Ending to Warriors vs Rockets Game 4
Rocket vs Warriors injury report
Houston Rockets Injury
f jae’sean tate (ankle; out)
Golden State Warriors Injury
f Jimmy Butler (pelvis, potential)
What TV channels are Rockets vs Warriors?
Rockets vs Warriors Game 5 will air nationwide on TNT and in the NBC Sports Bay Area for residents of the California and Space City Home Network for Texas residents.