Eric Gordon praised for sparking Houston Rockets with playoff career-high scoring night against Golden State Warriors
Sunday 5 May 2019 10:24, UK
Eric Gordon sparked the Houston Rockets with a playoff career-high scoring night of 30 points to help set the tone in their 126-121 Game 3 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors.
ItThe former NBA Sixth Man of the Year went for 20 points in the first half alone, scoring 8-for-14 from the field as Houston reduced the deficit in the Western Conference semi-final series to 2-1 at the Toyota Center.
His display earned praise from both his teammates and opponents on a night where he balanced superb shooting from deep range with some very successful drives to the basket.
Gordon's first-half scoring in particular proved vital in keeping Houston in the game, particularly when they were struggling to get started in the first quarter, and teammate Chris Paul was quick to lavish compliments on his colleague.
"Gordy (is) tough man," Paul mused. "I think sometimes we've got more confidence in Gordy than he's got in himself. He has unlimited range. When you kick it to him five steps behind the three-point line, that's like a regular shot for him. Everybody else (you) would be like 'wow'.
"And he can drive, and he can defend. We really appreciate him around here."
Golden State Warriors small forward Kevin Durant, who led all scorers with 46 points in defeat, conceded that Gordon provided a vital spark for his opponents.
"He had 30 tonight," Durant said. "He kept them in the game. All night they hit timely shots and Eric Gordon was one of the main reasons that kept them over the hump.
"He kept them afloat for a while and I know he's going to be expected to do that for the rest of the series."
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr also recognised the impact of the 31-year-old for the Rockets in Saturday night's game.
He said: "Gordon does a good job of attacking. As soon as possession changes hands he's attacking, running the wing, catching the ball, attacking the rim - so you've got be loaded up. It can't just be one guy, you've got to have your whole team aware of what he's trying to do."
Gordon himself was asked about his display in the post-match press conference and he insists the onus is on him to continue producing a similar level of performance.
"Yeah I have to do that every game," he said. "It's all about about bringing something to the table, offensively and defensively, every night to give yourselves the chance to win."
Game 4 of the series takes place in Houston late in the early hours of Monday morning (2.30am).
