Steph Curry Says Rockets Are Using Size to 'Try to Bully' Warriors in NBA Playoffs
After an impressive showing to open the series, the Golden State Warriors got hit back by the Houston Rockets in a 109-94 loss in Game 2 on Thursday night to even things at one game apiece.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Stephen Curry explained the Rockets' strategy so far has been using their size and "try to bully" the Warriors so they don't play their style of basketball:
"There were a couple crashes that happened out there, but we know what they’re trying to do—use their size advantage at times to try to bully us. We held up a pretty good fight both games. We just let Jalen get going a little bit and he got free to space. There’s no reason he should get up 18 3s."
Even though the Warriors felt like Game 2 was less physical than Game 1, it did show up in a big way toward the end of the first quarter. Jimmy Butler took a hard fall directly on his side after being undercut by Amen Thompson while going for a rebound.
Butler took his two free-throw attempts before being removed from the game. He didn't return and will undergo an MRI on Thursday.
The Rockets are built on being a big, physical team that wants to dominate opponents into submission. They ranked fourth in the NBA in defensive rating during the regular season and have held the Warriors to an average of 94.5 points per contest in the first two games of this series.
Golden State's biggest concern coming into the playoffs was a lack of size. Butler is the tallest player in the starting five at 6'7". No one would accuse a team with Butler and Draymond Green of not being physical, but the height and weight advantage favors the Rockets.
When the Warriors lost Butler from this game, the Rockets took advantage. They had a 47-33 rebounding advantage, including an 11-7 edge on the offensive glass.
Jalen Green, after going 3-of-15 from the field in Game 1, scored 38 points on 13-of-25 shooting. His eight three-pointers were as many as he made in the previous six games combined.
Curry and the Warriors will look to get back on track as the series shifts to Chase Center for Game 3 on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
