Game 4 a ‘trench warfare,’ Kerr says as Rockets spoil Warriors’ home record

SAN FRANCISCO, United States – The Golden State Warriors just couldn’t keep up with the late Houston onslaught as the Warriors drubbed the defending champions, 95-92, in Game 4 to equalize the NBA West Conference finals series at two wins each. 

“In the 4th quarter we just ran out of gas,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “They outplayed us in the 4th quarter and that was the difference.

“This game was just trench warfare, everybody grinding it out… I’m sure we’ll look at the film and kick ourselves. Their physicality made a difference.” 

Golden State, which opened the game on a 12-0 run, scored only 12 points in the 4th quarter.

The Houston victory snapped Golden State’s record playoff home win streak at 16 games, with the Warriors suffering their first loss since the 2016 NBA Finals.  

It gave the Rockets their first playoff win at Golden State in 8 tries.

“This is the highest level we’ve ever played defensively,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “There was some good defense in there to get us back. And they got a little tired in the 4th quarter because they felt us for 3 quarters.”

‘Hell of a run’

The Warriors, lacking starter Andre Iguodala due to a bruised left leg, saw Curry limited with foul trouble and Klay Thompson suffer a nagging left knee strain in the second quarter.

But Curry scored 17 points in the 3rd quarter, sinking 3 consecutive 3-pointers in an 18-3 run that sparked the Warriors to an 80-70 edge after 3 quarters.

Curry led Golden State with 28 points on 10-of-26 shooting while Kevin Durant added 27 points and 12 rebounds and Draymond Green had 11 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists.

“They went on a hell of a run in the 3rd and I told the guys in the huddle ‘Let’s fight back,'” Houston star Chris Paul said. “Hell of an effort. Fun game. Big time game.”

The Rockets missed their first 8 shots – including 3 layups in the first 3 minutes – and surrendered two turnovers in the first 5 scoreless minutes.

But the Rockets flipped it all over in the final period, closing the game on a 25-10 run after falling behind 82-70.

“There’s just great basketball now. It was just gutting it out and willing it ,” D’Antoni said. “Holding them to 12 points in the 4th quarter, that was obviously key. – Rappler.com