After a convincing win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Rockets delivered a potent counter punch to the Warriors in Game 2, blowing out Golden State 127-105 to even the series at a game apiece.
There were a number of factors that contributed to the Rockets blowout in Game 2, that were not present in Game 1. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr joined Tolbert and Lund Thursday afternoon, and detailed the two primary elements that set the tone for a Golden State letdown on Wednesday.
“Yeah I thought there were a couple things that set the tone,” Kerr said. “One was the turnovers, and then two was just letting a guys get a couple of easy hoops. We let Trevor Ariza get a transition basket off of one of those turnovers, and then we missed a rotation late in the shot clock where he just drove to the basket and got another layup. And that’s the kind’ve stuff that sets the tone. I mean in the playoffs especially, every basket has to be difficult, and that’s how it was in Game 1, we didn’t give their role players anything. (James) Harden and (Chris) Paul had to earn every point.”
After committing just 9 turnovers in Game 1, the Warriors had 11 by halftime in Game 2. That seemed to fuel Houston, who shot 51.1 percent from the field, after shooting 45.9 percent in Game 1.
“Game 2 everything changed,” Kerr continued. “We gave up easy hoops. PJ Tucker got two wide open 3s in the corners in the second quarter. That got him going. Everything that Houston needed to get going, they got it. Some of it was their doing, some of it was lack of intensity and focus, and we’ve got to be better with that.”
The Warriors will have their shot to bounce back on Sunday, when they head back home for Game 3 at Oracle Arena.
Listen to the full interview below.
