NBA Playoffs 2015: Saturday TV Schedule and Predictions for Top Perfomers
Game 3 of the 2015 NBA Western Conference Finals takes place tonight at 9 ET on ESPN.
The Houston Rockets return home down 2-0 to the Golden State Warriors after suffering two gut-wrenching losses in Games 1 and 2. The Rockets dropped both games by a combined five points, with James Harden turning the ball over in the final seconds in Game 2.
As the old adage goes, a series doesn't truly start until a team wins on the other's court. While Houston may be down 2-0, there are encouraging signs that the Rockets can even the series on their home floor.
Let's take a look at some of the potential top performers in tonight's contest.
Klay Thompson
The Warriors have been able to take a commanding lead in this series without the best from Klay Thompson.
In Game 1, Thompson scored just 15 points on 6-of-18 shooting (1-for-7 from three-point land). Game 2 wasn't any kinder to Thompson, as he recorded 13 points on 6-of-15 from the field and was a team-worst -13 in plus/minus.
An argument can be made that Thompson is struggling due to Houston's defense, but he's too good of a shooter not to start hitting. The Warriors have survived rough shooting nights from Thompson in the first two games but will need a solid performance from him to win on the road against a desperate team.
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza has been one of Houston's most consistent players outside of James Harden in these playoffs.
In Game 1, Ariza hit four three-pointers to finish with 20 points on the night. But Game 2 was a different story, as Ariza was 1-of-4 from three with nine points.
Ariza's ability to make three-point shots is a crucial aspect of Houston's offense. Harden has been in full playmaker mode in this series, so the veteran forward can expect plenty of open looks in front of a raucous home crowd.
Houston's Crowd
Speaking of that crowd, the Houston faithful should be optimistic about the team's chances despite being down in the series.
The Rockets have pushed the Warriors in both games and have looked like the better team for long stretches. The Oracle isn't an easy place to play, which may have factored into Golden State's ability to close out tight games.
Returning home, the Rockets have an opportunity to get back in this series. Expect the Houston crowd to play a huge role in this game, potentially tipping the scales in the home team's favor.
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