Stephen Curry overcoming struggles and ready to shine in Game 6, says Mike Tuck
Watch Golden State Warriors @ Houston Rockets Game 6 live on Sky Sports Arena in the early hours of Saturday morning (2am)
Saturday 11 May 2019 07:21, UK
Stephen Curry has been outshone by Golden State team-mate Kevin Durant in the playoffs so far, but with 'KD' missing Game 6 through injury, Curry is primed to step up, writes Sky Sports NBA analyst Mike Tuck.
Rockets get physical
When you have a finesse player like Curry, the best way to throw him off his game is to make him really work at both ends of the court.
The Rockets have been doing what the Rockets do best - playing physical, hard-nosed basketball. They are playing Curry 'physical' at both ends of the court.
Curry isn't necessarily the most physical guy. The Rockets are matching him up with guys like Eric Gordon, a player who is a lot bigger than him.
When Curry switches out, Houston have James Harden and Chris Paul as well as Gordon. Those are three big physical guards the Rockets are throwing at Curry on both ends.
When they are guarding Curry, they're getting up into him and making him uncomfortable. They're holding him and bumping him.
On the offensive end, they are making Curry work hard defensively, too. Quite a few times in this series, when Gordon has caught the ball and doesn't have an open catch-and-shoot three, he is immediately driving and attacking Curry. When Gordon starts going downhill, he is pretty tough to stop.
Shooting slump
Look at Curry's numbers in the Warriors' first and second-round series. He shot at 53.6 per cent (44-of-82) against the Clippers over six games. In five games against the Rockets, his field goal percentage is under 40 (39.4 per cent - 39-of-99) which is unheard of for him.
Against the Clippers, he was shooting eight three-pointers a game and making 50 per cent of them. He has shot 11.4 three-point attempts against the Rockets but has made just 26.4 per cent of them.
At times in the Rockets series, we've seen him attack the basket more. When you're a shooter and you're shot isn't dropping, the best way to rediscover your rhythm is to get an easy shot at the basket. Once you see the ball go through the rim, it helps your confidence grow.
The Rockets are really getting into Curry defensively. Although he is still getting open shots, I think there is something in his head right now.
Kevin Durant has been getting a lot of the limelight and making big shots throughout the playoffs while Curry has been battling for form. Maybe that's part of why Curry has struggled. The absence of 'KD' through injury, while a massive blow for the Warriors, could be good for Curry.
After Durant's exit in the third quarter of Game 5, Curry scored 16 points in the final 14 minutes to get the Warriors over the line. He outscored Harden and Paul in that period (they combined for 13 points), made crucial baskets and had a big impact on the game.
I won't be surprised if Curry comes out and has a monster game on the road in Houston in Game 6 and, if need be, Game 7 too.
Warriors playing the Rockets' game
Golden State are playing to the level of their opponent. You know what you are going to get from Houston - they're run-and-gun, they're 'heroball', the put the ball in James Harden's hands and they don't pass a lot.
Golden State have been sucked into that style of play. Until now, they have been putting the ball in Kevin Durant's hands and they aren't moving the ball as much as you'd normally see. They are averaging 278.2 passes per game against the Rockets, way down on the 320.1 passes per game they made in the regular season.
They've fallen into Houston's style of play, but I expect that to change with Durant out.
In Game 5, we also saw Klay Thompson wake up a little bit as the Warriors made more effort to play their trademark style of basketball.
In Game 6, without Durant, there will be a lot of pressure on Curry's shoulders but he is the type of player who won't shy away from that. He will step up.
I don't see the Warriors winning Game 6, though. The momentum is all with the Rockets.
I still see the series going to a Game 7 and, depending on how the Warriors look without Durant in Game 6, I'm leaning towards a Golden State series win.
Watch Warriors @ Rockets Game 6 live on Sky Sports Arena in the early hours of Saturday morning (2am).
