The Golden State Warriors put on a show in Game 1, rallying from a 16-point deficit at home to beat the Houston Rockets, 110-106, at Oracle Arena. Now the two teams will look to put together a similarly entertaining affair as they meet Thursday night for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Rockets vs. Warriors, NBA playoffs 2015: Time, TV schedule and live stream for Game 2
The Warriors look to go up 2-0 over the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The series opener lived up to the hype of a matchup between the league MVP and his biggest competitor throughout the year. Stephen Curry was electric, scoring 34 points on 13-of-22 shooting, and James Harden nearly matched him with 28 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and four steals.
It was two of the game’s best players putting their talents on full display, and the result was one of the most pleasing basketball games of the postseason. This is the way basketball will increasingly be played in the future, with guys constantly swapping positions and a heavy emphasis on shooting. In the opener, it was a treat to watch.
Versatility was a key theme throughout Game 1, and it showed in how little impact the traditional centers made. Dwight Howard played just 26 minutes and recorded more turnovers (five) than made field goals (three). Andrew Bogut played 16 minutes and recorded zero points, four rebounds and three personal fouls.
This isn’t a series designed for those kinds of players, and it’s a glimpse into a future where slower big men will become increasingly obsolete. There will always be a place for rim protectors in the NBA, but this series underscores the necessity to have big men who can do that while stepping away from the basket and guarding other positions as well. Otherwise, a player like Bogut needs to be hidden for large stretches when the lineups go small.
Both teams are equipped to play small, though, so it’ll be interesting to see whether Houston can keep up. The Rockets found some answers in Game 1, but the Warriors showed in the last round that they can quickly adjust and put away opponents. Another Golden State win Thursday would put the Rockets in a serious hole with the series heading to Houston for Game 3.
How to watch Game 2
Place: Oracle Arena
Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Online: WatchESPN
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