NBA Playoffs news: Jimmy Butler returns from injury to push Warriors past Rockets
A hard-fought battle in golden state sees the seventh seed Golden State Warriors jump out to a 3-1 series lead against the 2nd seeded Houston Rockets.
In case you missed it, here, Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Carter breaks down all the action.
The Warriors start off strong
The Warriors came into the game wanting to capitalise on their home-court advantage once again having won Game 3 after a 13 point comeback.
The game started off well for the Warriors as they built up an early lead of 13-2, reaching a game high 11 point lead, forcing the Rockets to take a timeout.
Following this timeout, the Rockets managed to grow into the game cutting the lead down to just two points at the end of the first quarter.
Houston maintained this momentum as they pulled ahead off the back of Fred VanVleet scoring nine points on three made three’s in the second quarter alone.
Tensions rise
Things got chippy halfway through the second as a shoving match broke out following a Draymond Green illegal screen.
Two players with long records of on court antics Draymond Green and Dillon Brooks had to be separated by the referees as both teams squared up in the middle of the court, leading to multiple technical fouls.
Later in the second quarter Jimmy Butler and Dillon Brooks were seen trash-talking one another after a foul.
When asked about this back and forth post game, Butler said “We aren't having fun. I don’t like Dillon Brooks.
“He's a fierce competitor, I'm a fierce competitor. Ain't nothing fun about it.”
The Rockets close in
After everything had cooled down, the Rockets were able to regain control of the game, taking a seven-point lead into the half.
The third quarter was very similar to the first. Golden State controlled the game comfortably, swinging the lead back into their favour and entering the final quarter up by two points.
Most of the fourth quarter was spent trading baskets, with the lead changing hands and being tied multiple times.
The offensive rebounding, shot-making, and defensive effort from Brandin Podziemski helped the Warriors go on a 7-0 scoring run from four minutes remaining until a VanVleet deep three-pointer tied the game at 104-104 with 1:20 on the clock.
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12 for 12
Moments later, Butler was fouled on a three-point attempt by Dillon Brooks giving him three shots at the line.
Being one of the best free throw shooters in the league, he gave the Warriors back the lead that they would eventually cling onto.
With the score at 107-104 in Golden State's favour, Rockets standout centre, Alperen Sengun would score the last of his game-high 31 points to cut the lead down to one.
With just six seconds remaining, Sengun missed a heavily contested shot in the paint.
With seven players under the basket fighting for the rebound, Butler managed to come up clutch again reeling in the board.
The Rockets immediately fouled the Texan, sending him back to the free throw line where, once again, he made both free throws.
Throughout the game, Butler was sent to the free throw line 12 times, all of which were successful.
With just four seconds remaining and a three-point deficit, the Rockets quickly inbounded the ball to VanVleet who managed to get a shot off before the buzzer but ultimately came up short.
Golden State won 109-106, taking a 3-1 series lead.
Golden State Warriors Stats
Jimmy Butler III - 27 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 12/12 fts
Brandin Podziemski - 26 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 6 3pm
Steph Curry - 17 pts, 3 ast, 1 stl
Houston Rockets Stats
Alperen Sengun - 31 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl
Fred VanVleet - 25 pts, 6 ast, 8 3pm
Amen Thompson - 17 pts, 9 reb, 1 stl
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