Choke City Returns: Rockets Blow Golden Opportunity, Lose Game 5, 104-99, as Warriors Regain Mojo, Series Control
Curse in Disguise. Closing the Window. What If?
If the Rockets go on to lose this series, Game 5 will haunt Houston for decades. This was the game, Houston needed to win, and they couldn’t pull it out. The most bizarre, grueling NBA series in recent memory got even stranger on Wednesday night. Golden State lost Kevin Durant to injury, yet held off Houston for a 104-99 Game 5 win, and a 3-2 series lead. After trailing by as many as 20 points, the Rockets rallied (with Durant on the floor). Once Durant suffered the injury, Houston had a complete mental lapse. The Rockets reverted to their worst habit, playing down to their competition, and blew a golden opportunity to take a control of the series.
Clint Capela can’t even seem to hold the ball against Golden State. Kevon Looney has outplayed Clint by a long-shot. I repeat, Kevon. Looney. If that’s going to happen, Houston doesn’t stand much of a chance, no matter what the refs decide to call or not call. No matter who’s injured, or healthy. The Rockets center, looks scared, and one can only hope Kenneth Faried, and Nene get more minutes. At first look, one might think the Warriors are worse without Kevin Durant. Look closer. And one can see the injury bug haunting the Rockets, only this time from the other side. Durant’s injury is a major curse in disguise for Houston. Golden State is 29-4 without Kevin Durant since he joined the team. The Warriors’ win total has decreased each season since acquiring KD, and Durant has obviously caused problems for the team’s chemistry in the locker room. Now, Golden State can go back to being the old Warriors. That’s bad news for Houston. The Rockets were able to lure Golden State into an isolation-heavy style of play with Durant on the floor. Without KD, the Warriors move the ball, and Steph Curry seems to play incrementally better with Durant off the floor. Before the injury, Klay Thompson rediscovered his rhythm. Both Splash Brothers will see more looks the rest of this series. The Rockets have to pray their shots don’t fall, or this series could be over as soon as Friday.
Chris Paul had the worst playoff game of his career. CP3 looked like he aged an additional five years overnight. Paul looked three steps to slow, and couldn’t get around anyone to save his life. Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker will need to pick up the slack if the Rockets want any chance of saving their season. James Harden was quiet in the fourth, attempting only one shot in the final five minutes. Another inexplicable event that’s shaped this peculiar series.
There can be only so many what ifs? What if Kevin Durant doesn’t get injured? Personally, I think Houston wins if Durant doesn’t go down. Houston lost complete focus once regaining the lead, and knowing Durant was out. The Rockets were only down seven, when Durant went down. After grabbing a two-point lead with 9 minutes in the fourth, Houston exhaled, and let their foot off the gas like they’d won the game. Only problem was, it wasn’t over, and despite another egregious missed call late by officials, the Warriors seemed to return to their old selves. Firing past the Rockets, to take control of the game, and possibly the series. What if the officials called it fair in Game 1? What if Harden doesn’t get slashed in Game 2? What if Nene or Faried got more playing time instead of sticking with the inept Capela (who can’t seem to play against the Warriors)? Golden States is a matchup nightmare for Capela, and the Warriors make him look a 12th man.
At this point, Houston might even be better served testing out Danuel House, who’s cleared to play but hasn’t recently due to coach’s decision. Nonetheless, something has to change. The Rockets attitude, desire, will. They’ve got to want it more. At this point, Houston can win the series. But, they’re going to have to play the hardest they’ve played all season. And that still might not even be enough. If the Rockets win Game 6, they still have to win a Game 7 on the road, against a revitalized Golden State team that seemed to regain their form and chemistry in the span of five minutes. Rebounding killed the Rockets before Durant went out, and Houston mentally phoned it in once Durant limped off.
On the bright side, the Rockets are 7-10 in elimination games. However, both of their Title runs in 94 and 95 featured comebacks from 3-2 deficits. It is possible. Nothing’s set in stone, yet. And, strangely enough, one only has to look at last season to get a glimpse in the mirror of what could be. Chris Paul went down in Game 5 last season after Houston won Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. It would be the Rockets last win of the season, as Golden State came back and beat the Rockets sans-CP3 in the final two games. Houston needs to repay the favor to their arch-nemesis, as they play without Durant. The only problem is, what few seem to notice, the Warriors never needed Durant. They’re better without him. And Houston needs to find a way to beat the old Warriors who have fun playing basketball. Because, that’s exactly what happened in Game 5: Golden State regained its mojo, specifically the Splash Brothers, who can shoot opponents out of a game in minutes. And the Warriors got what they most desired, proving the world they don’t need Kevin Durant to win. The Rockets are going to need two back-to-back epic team performances to prove them wrong.
The NBA’s strangest series continues on Friday night. Houston will fight for its season in Game 6. The series is far from over… or could be a wrap come Saturday. James Harden, Chris Paul, they’ve worked their entire careers towards this point. The window is closing, and after this season, the way CP3 is playing, will be closed after this year. This is Houston’s one final shot to win a championship. And to do it, they’re going to have to come together and run as one. No more excuses. Scott Foster waits in the shadows for a potential Game 7. First, the Rockets need to take care of business at home in Game 6. And hope Mother’s Day will bring celebrations of glory, instead of haunted reminders of what could have been.