Rockets Seek to Gain Momentum, Even Series in Game 4
Protecting Home. Tucker’s Mentality. Must-Win Double Vision.
“You dream, you gotta protect it… they wanna tell you, you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.”, Will Smith says to his son in the Pursuit of Happiness, a film about never giving up. After Game 3’s victory, Houston’s dream of a Championship is still in sight. Sure, Golden State’s still favored by the entire country. And you’ve probably heard the talk about how the Rockets can’t beat the Warriors, even before the series began, only to intensify after Houston dug itself an 0-2 hole. Well, the Rockets find themselves in position to dig right out of that hole and tie the series with a win on Monday night in Game 4.
Houston needs to bring more intensity than in Game 3, as tonight’s contest will be the squad’s toughest of the season. It might be Rocket Birthday Season, but amid the celebrations, Houston is focused now more than ever, to tie the series with a win. Isaiah Hartenstein celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday, and the most unheralded player in NBA history (P.J. Tucker) turned 34. Oh and tonight, on the eve of the biggest game of his life, is Chris Paul’s birthday. The Point God turns 34 years old, as his window to win a championship is closing. The Rockets need Paul to return to vintage CP3 form if Houston is going to beat the hungriest Warriors’ team they’ve faced all series.
Golden State leads the series 2-1, and they’ve been prone to napping during the regular season. But, this is the playoffs. If you think the Warriors aren’t coming out like gangbusters, you haven’t been watching NBA basketball the past 5 seasons. The last thing Golden State wants is a best-of-three series with the only team they know can beat them. Houston needs to be prepared for an onslaught attack on both ends from the Champs. Both teams will be playing with must-win mentality. Houston’s level of grit, intensity, and toughness HAS to top Golden State’s level. Therein lies the difference in Game 4. On the hustle end… The part of the game P.J. Tucker has made his life’s duty.
As Mike D’Antoni said after Game 3, P.J. wouldn’t let the Rockets lose. Every single Rocket needs to play with Tucker’s mentality if Houston wants to beat the Warriors in Game 4. Expect tonight’s contest to be an all-out war on the court. Both teams will be gunning for what essentially shapes the rest of this series. With a win, the Rockets are back in it, momentum revved up after the adversity they faced in Game’s 1 and 2, with a legitimate chance to pull off the upset of the century. A loss, and Houston falls into a 1-3 hole. And everyone knows the history of teams facing those deficits. In case you didn’t, only 11 out of 249 teams managed to win the final three games and advance. Two of those squads happened to be Houston Rocket teams.
It’s not over with a loss tonight, but it’s going to be all but impossible to win the series if Houston can’t protect home court in a must-win Game 4. The Rockets are 4-0 at home in the playoffs, contrasted to 1-3 on the road. The fans will be roaring. Expect another close game that could eventually decide this series, between the NBA’s two best teams. Both teams will be at each other’s throats. Houston outrebound Golden State by 20 in Game 3. The Rockets need another all-out dedication performance on the glass to take Game 4. Houston has to earn this victory tonight. Golden State won’t be beating themselves. It’s CP3’s birthday. There’s nothing he wants more for his birthday than tying this series. Paul’s dreamed of winning a Championship for years. Tonight will be one of the biggest challenges of his career if CP3 wants to get closer to his dream. But, as in life, the more challenging the task at hand, the harder one must work and prepare… if the Rockets want a win tonight, they’ve gotta go get it. Period.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Golden State Warriors (2-1): Blue
Houston Rockets (1-2): “Earned” Crimson Red
TV: 8:30 PM CT – TNT