15-point defeat! Free throw 22-38, Curry set a record, Amenchuang s first NBA miracle, Rockets refused to be eliminated

Text|Lao Kankanqiu

Editor|Lao Kankanqiu

On May 1, the first round of the NBA 2024-25 season's playoffs ushered in the focus of the Western Conference, and the Houston Rockets returned to home court to face the Golden State Warriors. At present, the two teams have reached 3-1 in big scores, and the Warriors have won two consecutive home games to usher in the match point. The Rockets have already stood on the edge of the cliff. If they lose another game, they will completely bid farewell to the playoffs. In fact, the Rockets had the opportunity to gain a lead. In the game of G3, Butler was absent due to injury, but unfortunately they lost a victory in vain. In addition, throughout the series, the Rockets team had already lost 35 goals, with a free throw shooting percentage of less than 60%. I can't imagine that this is the free throw shooting percentage of an NBA team. In addition, in the playoff experience and no one can stand up (the Rockets only lost 9 points in four games), and it is indeed a pity to lose.

" Everyone was very frustrated," Rockets coach Uduka said in an interview with the media. "In these four games, the winning game we won was very straightforward, while in the other three games, the score difference at the critical moment was only between one ball, and we often failed to seize the opportunity. We need to go back to home to win this victory, and then we have the chance to go to San Francisco again (play Game 6)!" Before the game, US media ESPN also gave the winning rate prediction of this game: the Rockets' winning rate is as high as 52.0%, while the Warriors' winning rate is only 48.0%. Obviously, ESPN is still optimistic that the Rockets can win a home victory and rewrite the big score to 2-3. In this game, in terms of starting, Butler is likely to play on the Warriors. Kerr's starting five-man lineup is: Stephen Curry, Pojemsky, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler and Mengmeng Green; on the Rockets, Tate is absent, and the starting lineup is: VanVleet, Jaylen Green, Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson and Shin Kyung.

The first quarter started, Jaylen Green made a breakthrough layup and scored 2+1, causing continuous fouls at the beginning of the game, and he played very strongly today. Curry was called for a foul when he defended Dillon and made a layup. He had two fouls. After Amen intercepted, the fast break caused Hield to foul again. The Warriors had already made a full foul in the first quarter in just over 3 minutes. Compared with the Rockets, only 1 foul. VanVleet made consecutive three-pointers in the corner, and the Rockets scored a 15-0 attack wave and had already led to 12 points. Post can also respond with a strong three-pointer shot, and the Warriors broke the scoring drought in the past 3 minutes. Amen made consecutive steals, Curry counterattacked and scored 2+1, VanVleet made another three-pointer, and the Rockets widened the gap to 18 points, stopping the Warriors again. After Amen forced a 2+1 fight, he yelled at Payton to celebrate, but the referee did not make any statement. Jaylen Green collided with Curry's knee when he broke through, and then he had no choice but to go to rest. Post was called for a foul again after adding cover. The Warriors made 9 fouls in a single quarter, 16 points behind the Rockets.

In the first quarter, the Rockets made 3 fouls and 13 of 13 free throws. Compared with the Warriors, 0 free throws and 9 fouls have been made. In addition, Curry & Butler made 0 of 5 shots in the first quarter, but he didn't score, but Curry gave 4 assists, surpassing Bob Cousey's assists in his career playoffs, rising to 19th in NBA history, setting a new milestone record.

Back in the second quarter, Shin Kyung made a pass to assist Amen to complete a dunk with both hands. The Rockets led 46-24 and stopped the Warriors again. After the timeout, the Warriors made three consecutive mistakes, Ethan made another three-pointer at a large open position, and the Rockets then scored an 18-0 climax, completely widening the gap to 30 points. Santos was fouled for an aerial cut and received the ball. The Warriors finally broke the scoring drought and got their first free throw in the game. Curry took a back-up step and made his first three-pointer. The Warriors chased to the 23-point difference. Curry dribbled through and forced a throw shot, but was rejected by Amen Thompson's big hat behind him. He was then intercepted by a head-on steal. Amen took off and completed a one-arm dunk and scored 2+1. At the end of the half, the Rockets led the Warriors 76-49 by 27 points.

Halftime data, on the Warriors, Curry played for 17 minutes, scored 3 of 10 shots, scored 11 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists; Butler played for 19 minutes, scored 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals; Pojemsky played for 14 minutes, scored 1 of 3 shots, scored 3 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists.

On the Rockets, Amen Thompson made 3 of 6, scoring 11 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 5 steals and 1 block; VanVleet made 6 of 7, 4 of 5 three-pointers, 19 points and 1 assist; Jaylen Green made 2 of 3, 1 of 2 three-pointers, 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists; Shin Kyung made 5 of 7, 2 free throws scored 12 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals.

It is worth mentioning that according to official statistics, Amen is the youngest player to score 10+ points and 5+ steals in the playoffs in NBA history, creating the first miracle in NBA history.

The side changes again, Butler breaks through and makes a layup and is hit by Amen in the face, and the referee calls a normal foul. VanVleet made a forced shot and hit the board. Currently, 7 of 9 shots have scored 21 points. Jaylen Green took a three-pointer and made another shot. The Rockets led again to 31 points. Curry accelerated and forced a breakthrough, Amen flew into the layup, and the Warriors were still 27 points behind. Kerr immediately replaced Butler and Curry and other main players. The Rockets led by 30 points and also called a timeout, replaced with a full substitute lineup, and officially called the gold medal to withdraw.

In the fourth quarter, the Rockets were scored 2-12, and the score difference narrowed to 17 points. After Uduka was suspended, it replaced the entire starting lineup. Spencer broke through and scored 2+1 in a throw-in, Moody's broke through and scored 13 points to catch up. The Warriors have grabbed 22 frontcourt boards in a single quarter. Then Shin Kyung and TJD had a quarrel and were quickly pulled away by their teammates. The two of them took one T and Pat Spencer was expelled. Amen cut the layup and was fouled. After the collision in the air, he felt a little uncomfortable. Don't be careless.. In the end, the Warriors lost to the Rockets by 15 points 131-116, who refused to be eliminated 1-4 and brought the game back to the Warriors' home court. In terms of data, the two teams' free throw ratio is 22-38 for the Rockets. On the Warriors, Curry made 4 of 12, scoring 13 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists; Butler made 2 of 10, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals; Green scored 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block.

On the Rockets, Shin Kyung scored 6 of 9 shots and scored 15 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals; Jaylen Green made 3 of 8 shots, 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists; Amen Thompson scored 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks.