Warriors Survive Rockets in Game Seven; How to Prepare for Minnesota

The Golden State Warriors emerged from a grueling seven-game series against the Houston Rockets with a renewed sense of urgency. Despite leading 3-1, the Warriors saw that margin evaporate before closing strong at Houston in Game Seven. Golden State showed flashes of dominance but also exposed weaknesses that could be costly in future rounds. With Minnesota looming, the Warriors must quickly address what this series revealed.

Curry Continues to Lead

Stephen Curry remained the cornerstone of Golden State's offense throughout the series. He averaged 24.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists over seven games, demonstrating his consistent impact. In Game Seven, Curry contributed 22 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, including 14 points in the fourth quarter. His leadership and clutch performances were instrumental in the Warriors' advancement.

Bench Contributions Were Inconsistent

While the Warriors' bench had moments of brilliance, consistency was lacking throughout the series. Brandin Podziemski, for instance, had many standout performances during the regular season. However, in the playoff series against Houston, he did not replicate such scoring outputs. The bench's inconsistency underscores the need for more reliable secondary scoring options heading into the next series, specifically looking for better performances from their young bench.

Defensive Focus Wavered, but Green Shines

Golden State's defense, a hallmark of their success, showed signs of vulnerability during the series. In Games Five and Six, the Warriors allowed the Rockets to exploit defensive lapses, leading to significant scoring runs. Houston's Fred VanVleet averaged 19.0 points per game in the series, capitalizing on these defensive shortcomings. However, in Game Seven, the Warriors had their best defensive outing with Draymond Green leading the charge, holding the Rockets to 33.3% shooting from the three-point line, only making 6/18 threes.

Hield's Historic Performance

Buddy Hield delivered a remarkable performance in Game Seven, scoring 33 points and tying an NBA record with nine three-pointers during a Game Seven. His sharpshooting provided the offensive spark the Warriors needed to secure the series. Hield's contribution was especially vital given Curry's scoreless first half in that game. His emergence as a reliable scoring option adds a new dimension to Golden State's offense.

Timberwolves Present Next Challenge

The Warriors now face the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team known for its defensive prowess and athleticism. Golden State won three of four meetings against Minnesota during the regular season, but the playoffs present a different challenge. The Warriors must address their defensive inconsistencies and seek more balanced scoring to advance further. The upcoming series will test Golden State's resilience and adaptability.