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00:00:00On the road, season's over if you lose, what kind of mental fortitude does this Rockets team have?
00:00:06I think I was impressed with what they did in Game 5, how they showed up.
00:00:10Can they do the same type of thing, not blow out the Warriors, but can they bring that confidence
00:00:14that they belong in a game like this to get it back to Houston?
00:00:17How important is it, Perk, to punch early so that you don't get the chase center crowd
00:00:22sort of behind a Golden State Warriors team when you're young, when you're lacking maybe
00:00:25a little bit of a playoff experience on the road?
00:00:27It's very important, and you just want to keep the game close, but again, they have an identity defensively, right?
00:00:33That's not going anywhere, but if I'm the Rockets, tonight I want to see a heavy dose of Alfred Shangoon,
00:00:40baby Jokic, a heavy dose of him on the low block, pick and roll action, whether that's him making passes
00:00:47or whatever, he's averaging, what, 21 and 10 and a half rebounds, almost six assists, so he's doing it all.
00:00:54That's what I would do. I would impose him, because nobody really could stop him when he gets going.
00:00:59He leads the Rockets in total points, rebounds, assists, and steals in this series.
00:01:03He's going to have to have one of those nights from Alperin Shangoon.
00:01:07All right, it's time to get you back to Stephen A's favorite city.
00:01:10We're going back to San Francisco.
00:01:11Yes, finally, yeah.
00:01:14I didn't know that.
00:01:17All right, Malika, thank you, and welcome back as this series has shifted back to San Francisco
00:01:23after the Rockets kept their season alive with an impressive Game 5 win,
00:01:28and it's going to be a packed chase center.
00:01:30They've battled now for five games, a series with the usual physical play
00:01:35and some added healthy competitive disdain, 15 technicals, one ejection, multiple contentious incidents.
00:01:43Expect more of that to come.
00:01:45Game 6 coming up next.
00:01:48ESPN Vets Sportsbook has you covered all playoffs long.
00:01:51Keep up with big-time matchups, get daily profit boosts,
00:01:54and tail exclusive picks from Stephen A. Smith.
00:01:56Right now, you can get $100 in bonus space.
00:02:01Good playoff basketball.
00:02:02Just competitive groups.
00:02:03Nobody wants to lose.
00:02:05I don't think anybody is trying to be friends with anybody on either team.
00:02:09Closeout games are extremely difficult.
00:02:11They're not going to quit.
00:02:12Down the middle lane.
00:02:13And a jam with the right hand.
00:02:14And he's fouled.
00:02:15It is all Houston.
00:02:17Golden State taking it on the chin.
00:02:23We got young guns that's not backing down from anybody.
00:02:26Suddenly, the pressure on Golden State.
00:02:30At this point in our careers, we've seen it all.
00:02:33Had all the experiences.
00:02:34You can look back on it on the part of the journey,
00:02:36but that's all well and great to talk about.
00:02:38You have to go do something about it.
00:02:42Hold it on to V-Town.
00:02:44And even if it goes the emoji rack.
00:02:47Metrically, that should not have happened.
00:02:49This is crazy.
00:02:50You don't back down from anybody.
00:02:51There we go.
00:02:57The final weekend of the NBA's first-round Rockets and the Warriors.
00:03:03The NBA playoffs are presented by Google.
00:03:05The first round presented by ESPN.
00:03:08ESPN Met Sportsbook back in the Bay Area.
00:03:11Will it be the final game of what has been a very compelling first-round series
00:03:16between these Warriors and the Rockets.
00:03:19Golden State leading three games to two.
00:03:22Tonight's starting lineups brought to you by Modelo Especial.
00:03:25And for the young Rockets, same starting five throughout.
00:03:30A nice mix of some young talent and veterans.
00:03:33For the Golden State Warriors, already their fourth different starting lineup of these playoffs.
00:03:39As Buddy Heald remains in the starting lineup.
00:03:41And Gary Payton put into the starting lineup to go with the three veterans.
00:03:46And Steph Curry obviously looks very tight right there.
00:03:50Always loose and ready to go.
00:03:52He's going to get to do what he does best and what he loves to do.
00:03:56NBA playoff basketball.
00:03:58Fred Van Gleet and the Rockets were sensational in that game five to keep their season alive.
00:04:06And the crowd certainly wanting a celebration.
00:04:10Meanwhile, the Rockets, they love that sound of silence.
00:04:14That's what they want to hear here tonight.
00:04:16Oh, they're going to want to get started early.
00:04:18The more you kind of look at this series and you understand the Golden State Warriors, who they are, who their best players are.
00:04:25For the Rockets, you want to get off to a good start.
00:04:27You do not want to be going uphill against this team at home in a closeout.
00:04:33Games three and four both went to the Golden State Warriors.
00:04:37And a game seven would be on Sunday in Houston, if necessary.
00:04:46Rockets, a good road team all season long.
00:04:49They were 23 and 17 in the regular season.
00:04:51But as we all know, this is a different sport, the NBA playoffs.
00:04:57Draymond Green on Chingun.
00:04:59Shot clock already down a sixth entry pass.
00:05:01Curry tried to steal it.
00:05:02A reach in and a foul.
00:05:04And it'll be a side out for the Rockets as Steph Curry picks up his first.
00:05:07So interesting, you go to Gary Payton, who absorbs the Fred Van Vliet assignment immediately.
00:05:12As we talked about in the open, Fred has made eight of his last 12 threes the last couple games.
00:05:17Hello, Mr. Payton.
00:05:18Yeah, oh, he, that's the guy that you want to come, that's kind of changed it up.
00:05:21But what did they do?
00:05:22They went straight at Steph Curry in that situation because he had a bigger offensive player on him.
00:05:28And Goon can't get the first one to fall.
00:05:30Payton the rebound.
00:05:31Payton, of course, has become such a fan favorite with his nonstop energy and smile as Van Vliet pressures up on him.
00:05:39Curry, first shot of the night.
00:05:41Off the mark, Thompson the rebound.
00:05:44Thompson playing his best game in that Game 5 victory in Houston.
00:05:48Buddy Heal is guarding Jalen Green.
00:05:52Draymond Green trying to help Shingun with the throwdown.
00:05:56Jalen Green, to me, is the X Factor.
00:05:58I mean, he is capable of going north of 30.
00:06:00We know what they count on from Shingun.
00:06:03But if Jalen Green starts to make the three and go to his off-the-bounce game, it's a different game for Houston.
00:06:09Jimmy Butler comes up short.
00:06:10Of course, the Warriors' starting five didn't play a lot of minutes in Game 5.
00:06:14Steve Kerr set them down early.
00:06:16And all the reserves made a game of it late.
00:06:18He really was never in doubt right from the opening tip.
00:06:22And that dominant victory for the Rockets.
00:06:24Draymond Green sets the screen.
00:06:28Curry, right back to Green.
00:06:30Kicks it out.
00:06:31Butler.
00:06:32The fake.
00:06:33Draymond Green settles, fires, and hits the throw.
00:06:42Draymond has made a living off of hitting some of those big shots, those dare shots.
00:06:48If you're going to leave me open, I'm going to make you pay.
00:06:50But I stand by.
00:06:51He will always get those shots, because that's one less shot for Steph.
00:06:55Dylan Brooks misses.
00:06:56Draymond Green, six for 20 in this series from three-point range.
00:07:00Crowd usually cheers a little extra when he knocks one down.
00:07:04Has never been a strong suit.
00:07:06As Jimmy Butler has Jalen Green on him.
00:07:10Draymond Green tries another.
00:07:12Rolls out.
00:07:15There is nobody in the zip code, Richard.
00:07:17No.
00:07:18No.
00:07:19They're looking for that shot at 10.
00:07:21Typically from Bench's, you hear, he's with us when he starts missing those.
00:07:25Jalen Green gets in the paint, comes up short.
00:07:28Dylan Brooks, the offensive rebound, kept alive by Shingun.
00:07:33Van Vliet, open, in the corner.
00:07:34That's good.
00:07:35Van Vliet has been absolutely scorching the last couple of games.
00:07:39It's quiet in here.
00:07:45You know what?
00:07:46It was so loud during the introductions and the start that they've kind of settled in.
00:07:50Buddy Heal tries to answer.
00:07:52They're tired, Doris.
00:07:54Do you know how hard it is to get here at 617 on a weekday?
00:07:57What a Friday.
00:07:58Do you know how hard that is in San Francisco?
00:08:01Travel call on Thompson.
00:08:04Again, this space.
00:08:05This is what they want.
00:08:06They know Draymond's a creator.
00:08:08And sometimes if Draymond misses one or two, he'll go dribble handoff.
00:08:11But there, he has the space here.
00:08:13Same thing.
00:08:14They are going to dare him to make those shots.
00:08:17And he has the ability to do it.
00:08:19But it's not what you want to live with.
00:08:21What was that like for you when they left you that wide open?
00:08:23Well, that was my first and second year in the league.
00:08:26And then I worked extremely hard on it and it stopped happening.
00:08:29And a foul.
00:08:30Draymond Green looking at James Capers.
00:08:35And it's going to be an offensive foul.
00:08:39But Draymond Green didn't see it was off the ball.
00:08:42Well, Draymond's point was he's holding me.
00:08:44He's holding me.
00:08:45But that's the kind of physicality we've become accustomed to to start this playoffs.
00:08:49To me, that's extra.
00:08:50And officials are going to look to see if that's extra.
00:08:54And there is some holding going there.
00:08:56But you don't get to do that if you're Draymond.
00:08:57I'm sorry.
00:08:58That is not how you get someone's handoff.
00:09:00Lager that.
00:09:02Possible flagrant.
00:09:03Certainly a chance of that.
00:09:04In a game here where you have a chance to win and move ahead,
00:09:09that's just not a good team play at all.
00:09:11Mike, you can attest to this, okay?
00:09:13Over the last three to four weeks, what have I said about Draymond Green?
00:09:16That it feels sometimes like he's walking that edge again,
00:09:20which we've seen historically.
00:09:22That, to me, is a case in point of what I'm talking about.
00:09:26And especially in such an important game,
00:09:30listen, nobody will deny that this guy is one of the smartest defenders
00:09:33in NBA history.
00:09:35His competitive fire has been a big part of the four championships.
00:09:39But he crosses the line over and over,
00:09:42and it hurts him, and it hurts the team.
00:09:44And to get started with a possible flagrant foul here,
00:09:46it's such an important game.
00:09:48Well, think about the game where he gets a technical foul early,
00:09:53whether you agreed with it or not.
00:09:54And then later in the game,
00:09:56they give him a flagrant instead of a technical.
00:09:58The contact by Green with the wind-up, impact, and follow-through
00:10:02meets the criteria for a flagrant foul.
00:10:04Penalty one.
00:10:05We'll have two free throws by Green.
00:10:08Houston will get the ball out of bounds.
00:10:10Sideline.
00:10:10With 24 on the shot clock.
00:10:13So, Jimmy Capers, the crew chief,
00:10:15and Mitchell Urban, J.B. DeRosa right away,
00:10:19kind of sending a signal that this is not going to happen all game long,
00:10:22or at least they're going to try to not let it happen.
00:10:25Well, and that's the thing.
00:10:26Draymond, in my opinion,
00:10:27has been the most important defender of this generation.
00:10:30He has allowed this team to play a certain way with Steph,
00:10:34with Klay, with KD.
00:10:35He's been so important.
00:10:36And I'm with Stake.
00:10:37I'm with Draymond.
00:10:38Draymond, if they're grabbing your jersey, you can get it off.
00:10:41But you also can't swing and hit someone in their head in those moments.
00:10:45So how many guys get this kind of leash in the league
00:10:48to get a flagrant one and continue the discussion?
00:10:51And in his face, yelling at him.
00:10:53And again, the officials in this case,
00:10:55and we've seen it not just in this game, but throughout,
00:10:58they're going to give players a little extra rope in a playoff game
00:11:00because they don't want to have an effect.
00:11:03But it just gets tired.
00:11:07It just gets really tired as Jalen Green hits the free throw.
00:11:11What we're watching is a person's greatest strength and greatest weakness.
00:11:17He walks this line.
00:11:18But you've just gotten a flagrant one.
00:11:20And I would stand by this, Mike.
00:11:22Over the history of Draymond's career,
00:11:24it feels like there's been a double standard.
00:11:30Kyrie guarding Van Vliet.
00:11:31Shang-Goon gets it inside.
00:11:33A couple of fakes.
00:11:34Bank shot.
00:11:34It's good.
00:11:35Alphur and Shang-Goon off to a nice start.
00:11:37A couple of buckets.
00:11:38And a six-point early lead for the Rockets.
00:11:40And he's got a mix.
00:11:41He's too important, Richard, as you said now.
00:11:44Nothing else can happen in this game to put your team in a deficit.
00:11:47He knows it.
00:11:48He's talented.
00:11:49He's too important.
00:11:50Jimmy Butler guarded by Brooks.
00:11:52That's another fun matchup.
00:11:54Butler goes inside.
00:11:55Lefty layup.
00:11:56Backs it home.
00:11:57And that's what Jimmy does.
00:11:59Jimmy alleviates that stress.
00:12:02This team before Jimmy and after Jimmy is so different
00:12:05because before you didn't have another energy person.
00:12:08And you didn't have another person that caused gravity.
00:12:13Shang-Goon left open.
00:12:16Leans in.
00:12:18And throws it down.
00:12:19Darrylman Green wanted an offensive foul.
00:12:22But clearly the officials thought that was more of a flop.
00:12:26The crowd hurry ornery already as is Green.
00:12:28Butler gets inside.
00:12:30Payton able to track it down.
00:12:36Butler against Thompson.
00:12:37Thompson the brilliant young defensive player.
00:12:40Draymond Green to Payton.
00:12:42His corner three.
00:12:43And Thompson the rebound.
00:12:44So one thing you've got to think about if you're the Warriors,
00:12:46Gary Payton and Draymond Green, you're spacing a little bit different.
00:12:49Two shooters that they're content to let shoot.
00:12:52Curry the steal.
00:12:53But threw it behind Payton.
00:12:55And the second turnover for Golden State.
00:12:57Now watch this.
00:13:00We saw this matchup at the end of the game.
00:13:04Draymond getting the big stop when they needed it.
00:13:07But also, you see Draymond right there.
00:13:09I think you live with that.
00:13:10You let them play early.
00:13:12I think that that probably was an offensive foul.
00:13:14But you still have established that, hey, this is how we're going to let you guys play.
00:13:18Brooks lets it fly.
00:13:20Curry lets the pass fly.
00:13:22Butler inside, lays it up and in.
00:13:24He also tried to draw a foul on that.
00:13:32Golden State back with it for an eventful first five minutes.
00:13:37Jalen Green guarded by Draymond Green.
00:13:41Steps back, corner three.
00:13:44Butler tips it.
00:13:45And the ball goes out of bounds.
00:13:47But last touch by the Rockets.
00:13:48And we'll have our first time out.
00:13:53For the Golden State Warriors, Mike.
00:13:55An ideal world so they don't have to play against one of the better defenses in the league.
00:14:00Playoff misses.
00:14:01Playoff turnovers.
00:14:02Get easy ones.
00:14:02Brought to you by Nissan.
00:14:16First five games of this series.
00:14:18There's been so much physical play.
00:14:20A lot of stuff.
00:14:22The mini skirmishes.
00:14:23After the whistle.
00:14:25As we said earlier, 15 technical fouls.
00:14:28Now two flagrant fouls on Draymond Green.
00:14:30And you've got two of the most combative players in Draymond Green and Dylan Brooks.
00:14:37Who like to get these things going.
00:14:39That gets them going.
00:14:40But it's not basketball.
00:14:44For me, when I look at this, there was obviously the series in 2016.
00:14:49When Draymond got suspended in that series, it wasn't because of a singular incident in that series.
00:14:54It was because all of the accumulations and the technicals and the flagrants leading up.
00:14:59If this team believes they have a chance to win a championship, Draymond has to get these things under control so he can play later as Steph knocks down the little floater.
00:15:08Curry gets on the board.
00:15:11Newson's lead cut to two.
00:15:12And again, Peyton getting the start, guarding Van Vliet.
00:15:19Trying to quiet him down a little bit after the last couple of games.
00:15:24Now on the switch, Curry guarding him.
00:15:27Van Vliet finds some room.
00:15:29Fires away.
00:15:29Shot won't go.
00:15:30Draymond Green tips it, but right to Thompson and Shangoon.
00:15:34Thompson so active on the boards.
00:15:36Boy, he is so bouncy.
00:15:37That second jump as quick as the first.
00:15:39Well, Chipotle's dreamer didn't grab that.
00:15:42Looked like he went to tip it.
00:15:46The Jimske's come in.
00:15:47Curry fires away.
00:15:48Knocks down the three.
00:15:53Well, Curry in game five, just 13 points.
00:15:57Four of 12.
00:15:57Didn't play a lot of minutes.
00:15:59Again, with Steve Kerr taking his starters out early in the blowout.
00:16:04Thompson's spinning.
00:16:05Tough four-away shot.
00:16:06Green.
00:16:07Touch pass Curry.
00:16:08Ahead to the Jimske.
00:16:08Alley up to Payton.
00:16:18And an offensive foul call on Shangoon.
00:16:22He said Pajemski, or feels Pajemski flopped, but it's going to go the other way.
00:16:27We talk about defense to offense.
00:16:29Great defense there by the Golden State Warriors.
00:16:32But if you're the Houston Rockets, it can't be one-two pass and a dunk.
00:16:36We already saw Jimmy.
00:16:38And then here.
00:16:41That one, he gave him a step.
00:16:44He gave him a step.
00:16:45So, you know, again, Pajemski, he's so crafty, especially for a young player.
00:16:50You don't see players with that much kind of extra to their game at such a young age.
00:16:55He knows all the little tricks.
00:16:56Moses, Moody, Quinton Post, both come in.
00:17:00Tyra Eason comes in for the Rockets, as does Stephen Adams.
00:17:05Moody drives, stops.
00:17:07Nice crossover layup.
00:17:08Won't go.
00:17:09Rebound deflected.
00:17:10Out of bounds.
00:17:11Last touch by the Rockets.
00:17:12Looks like the Rockets may have gone a little zone.
00:17:16If you see Stephen Adams at the free throw line, they might be in that 2-1-2.
00:17:22And this has been something of a discussion with the Warriors, being better executing against
00:17:28what they're doing defensively.
00:17:30Both teams have used a decent amount of zone through the first five games.
00:17:33Thompson gets up into Curry.
00:17:40Pass deflected.
00:17:41Boy, Thompson and Adams, that's a heck of a double team.
00:17:48Pajemski tracing Van Vliet.
00:17:51Adams goes inside.
00:17:53Ball is kind of coming out of his hand.
00:17:54He's been up with a shot and still got it to go.
00:17:57I'd be pretty confident Stephen Adams not going to lose the basketball, Mike.
00:18:03Butler sees an opening, goes inside.
00:18:07More aggressive looking for a shot early.
00:18:10He draws the foul.
00:18:11He'll go to the free throw line.
00:18:14So let's watch Houston working defensively.
00:18:18You can see the jump out by Stephen Adams goes off the foot of Moses Moody.
00:18:22And that little trap of Stephen Curry not only gets it out of his hands,
00:18:26now you can play off a miss, get yourself down the floor.
00:18:29And Stephen Adams, a couple of easy points.
00:18:32Well, Jimmy Butler, 26-9.
00:18:36That's the Warriors' record in the games he's played in since the trade.
00:18:40And the key thing has been the clutch games.
00:18:44As the Warriors were about a 500 team before the trade,
00:18:4713-4 in clutch games since Butler's come alive.
00:18:50The thing that I like about Jimmy Butler is really the free throws.
00:18:53What he does and the aggressiveness.
00:18:55He will get free throws.
00:18:56He will get the team and the bonus.
00:18:58Now, for Steph, that freedom of movement becomes even more important.
00:19:02Because Steph is running around.
00:19:03If you foul him, if you do something, those are free throws.
00:19:06And then you add Jimmy Butler if you start touching him.
00:19:09So it's the combination that allows for a more balanced attack.
00:19:12He's tied up.
00:19:14Brooks drives.
00:19:15Fouls into Prozemski.
00:19:16And an offensive foul called on Brooks.
00:19:19Rojemski draws his second charge.
00:19:21This guy, one of the best in the league.
00:19:23And you're right, Richard.
00:19:24There's some maturity to what he does.
00:19:26But let's be honest.
00:19:27Like, this is how he's going to fit on the roster.
00:19:30It's all the little things.
00:19:32Making the right reads.
00:19:33Stepping in to take a charge.
00:19:35One extra pass.
00:19:37An offensive rebounder from the corner.
00:19:39Like, all the little stuff.
00:19:41Rojemski gets inside.
00:19:43Kicks it out in the corner.
00:19:43Post, a little fake, puts it on the floor.
00:19:47Jimmy Butler lines up that three-corner in and out.
00:19:52Shooting numbers early.
00:19:5446% for Golden State.
00:19:5643% for the Rockets.
00:20:01Rojemski fights over an Adam screen.
00:20:03Not an easy thing to do.
00:20:04Van Vliet gets inside and draws a foul.
00:20:08So the veteran Van Vliet will go to the free throw line
00:20:11as Rojemski picks up his first.
00:20:13Doris, I actually like the way the Rockets have come out.
00:20:18Because you don't want for this Golden State Warriors to come out,
00:20:22jump on you early.
00:20:23The crowd is going crazy.
00:20:24You got it.
00:20:25There wasn't even a first storm.
00:20:27Right?
00:20:27And I think sometimes when you have the situation earlier in the game,
00:20:31you get the technicals or flagrants.
00:20:32That's when it gets the kind of crowd to lower their energy.
00:20:35Time for tonight's playoff schedule brought to you by Meta AI.
00:20:40TNT Saturday.
00:20:41Game 7 from Denver.
00:20:42Clippers and Nuggets.
00:20:44Then TNT Sunday, if necessary.
00:20:46And if the Rockets win, they'll host Game 7.
00:20:498.30 p.m. start.
00:20:50Van Vliet knocking down the free throws.
00:20:53He now is 15 for 15 from the line here in the series.
00:20:56Moody walks right up into a three and nails it.
00:21:02So, last game, right?
00:21:04He's been struggling, struggling.
00:21:06And it looks like it's nothing burger time for Moses Moody.
00:21:09But you know what he found in Game 5?
00:21:11His shot.
00:21:12Now he walks right in the first time he touches it.
00:21:15There are no wasted minutes in the NBA.
00:21:17Oh, no.
00:21:17And Steve Kerr is laughing.
00:21:19He's like, okay, I guess you're feeling it, young fella.
00:21:21Oh, Van Vliet feeling it as well.
00:21:23And he gets his second three-pointer.
00:21:25Rockets back up by one.
00:21:30Adams playing off Moody.
00:21:34Looking for an opening.
00:21:35Fires it inside to Butler.
00:21:38Moody drives high off the glass.
00:21:40Can't get it.
00:21:40Butler tries to keep it alive.
00:21:42But the Rockets come the other way.
00:21:45Van Vliet fires back of the rim.
00:21:48Gets his own rebound.
00:21:50Terrific hustle from Van Vliet.
00:21:53Jabari Smith poked away.
00:21:57Pajemski and Butler in the area.
00:21:58That's five turnovers already for the Rockets.
00:22:01Butler inside to post and the finish.
00:22:06When they've played off misses or turnovers and gotten to their pace game,
00:22:12Golden State looks terrific.
00:22:14Pajemski has been a big spark off the bench defensively.
00:22:18Eason has some room.
00:22:21Hands to three.
00:22:22Tari Eason.
00:22:24Three for seven from downtown.
00:22:29A whistle and a foul.
00:22:31Van Vliet will pick up his first.
00:22:33And will take a timeout.
00:22:35Two-point lead for the Rockets here in game six.
00:22:37Who is ruling the court brought to you by Burger King.
00:22:55The top story in the NBA today is Greg Popovich.
00:22:59One of the greatest coaches in the history of professional sports has decided to step down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.
00:23:08He'll now become team president.
00:23:09Of course, Popovich suffered a stroke earlier this year.
00:23:12The Spurs continue to say his progress is terrific, but he will step down as the head coach after one of the most magnificent careers.
00:23:20Not just championships, but wins.
00:23:22What he meant to the coaching profession.
00:23:24What he meant to the game of basketball.
00:23:26Obviously, what he meant to the Spurs organization and to the NBA.
00:23:29The tributes are pouring in from everywhere.
00:23:31And they should.
00:23:33Greg Popovich was so impressive with everything that he did.
00:23:37Obviously, E-May was there.
00:23:38Steve Kerr, Steve's Kerr last game ever was against me and my New Jersey Nets against Greg Popovich and him and the Spurs.
00:23:45And so, you know, the thing I love most about the tributes is that it's less about basketball,
00:23:51more about who he was as a human being and how he was a father figure to individuals for over 30 years.
00:23:57Both Kerr and Adoka are talking about that he's one of the most important people in both of their lives.
00:24:03Not just in their basketball lives, but in their personal lives.
00:24:07Oh, Shane Goom falling away.
00:24:09Curry with the rebound.
00:24:10How about this stat since Greg Popovich was the head coach in 1996 when he was named as Curry can't hit.
00:24:18There have been 303 coaching changes in the NBA.
00:24:25But Jimski trying to draw and cover off ball charge on Shane Goom.
00:24:31Jalen Green 0-4-3 to start.
00:24:34He's the double team.
00:24:36Excellent track.
00:24:38Adams to Eason.
00:24:40Shang-Goon, a rare three-pointer here in this series.
00:24:42Adams grants the offensive board.
00:24:45Inside of Eason.
00:24:47Bees into Shang-Goon to get hit in the face.
00:24:49That's going to be Curry's second foul.
00:24:50We're going to watch.
00:24:56But right now what's happening is Houston is playing their three big lineup.
00:25:00And what does that mean?
00:25:01Well, look at the opportunities you're going to get as you see the foul on Stephen Curry.
00:25:05But Stephen Adams gets a weak side rebound that creates the extra possession that gets to this action of the foul.
00:25:13And Jabari Smith on the floor.
00:25:15They are enormous up front.
00:25:17Now, I know Jalen Green is a talented young player.
00:25:21His future is bright.
00:25:22But even here early on, you want him to see settled.
00:25:26He talked about how he has to play better.
00:25:28So, you look at how is he playing?
00:25:29How is he moving?
00:25:30What's he seeing?
00:25:31As you can see, almost everything just feels rushed.
00:25:34And nothing feels settled here in this first quarter.
00:25:36Ben Goom got the shot clock winding down.
00:25:38Not going to get it off in time.
00:25:40First, it was Bozemski with excellent defense.
00:25:42And then Draymond Green forcing that turnover.
00:25:44I think Green has to get off the ball quicker.
00:25:47They have blitzed him, and he's accustomed to it.
00:25:50Remember, he had huge games early this year.
00:25:53And teams decided, we're going to blitz this young man and make him give up the basketball.
00:25:57You can see Draymond, a little bit of physicality, understanding where the shot clock is, then a desperation opportunity.
00:26:03And with all some good defense, it's the Rockets, though, still with a two-point lead.
00:26:07The rebounding is always key.
00:26:09Best offensive rebounding team in the NBA regular season and so far in the playoffs.
00:26:14Curry turns it over.
00:26:15That's the fourth turnover.
00:26:16Green down the other end, throws it down.
00:26:20That's where the Rockets can be so dangerous.
00:26:22They're not one of the best shooting teams in the league, but their defense so often leads to offense.
00:26:26Well, and that's it.
00:26:27You talk about Jalen Green.
00:26:28You want to get something going, play some elite defense, get a steal, and get an easy dunk.
00:26:33Hopefully, that can kind of get him going if you're the Rockets.
00:26:36Curry double, finds post.
00:26:40Pajemski off the bounce.
00:26:41Goes along the baseline, deflects it again.
00:26:43Good hands defensively.
00:26:45Rockets, one of the elite defensive teams in the NBA all season.
00:26:49Shot clock is off.
00:26:51Final seconds.
00:26:54No fouls to give here for Golden State.
00:26:55Green blocked by Moody.
00:26:58A lot of good defense, both ends here in the first quarter.
00:27:02Game six here from San Francisco.
00:27:04Rockets trying to keep their season alive.
00:27:06They're up four.
00:27:15It's brought to you by Scott's.
00:27:16E-May facing elimination on the road is different than facing it at home.
00:27:20Just how do you think you guys have met the moment so far?
00:27:24I think we've been okay.
00:27:25Not taking care of the ball the best.
00:27:27We've got five turnovers.
00:27:28It's kind of ignited their fast break, but do the same things.
00:27:30We got us here last game.
00:27:32Not play in the crowd.
00:27:32Make the simple play.
00:27:33We'll be all right.
00:27:34Jalen, what's it going to take to get him going?
00:27:37Well, at times, you know, he's got to be the decoy.
00:27:39They're double teaming him.
00:27:40If you can find it in the pocket, find it to our numbers behind it, we'll be good there.
00:27:43But you have to take advantage of the opportunities, be aggressive, and not second guessing.
00:27:46All right.
00:27:46Thank you, E-May.
00:27:47Thanks.
00:27:47Bye.
00:27:47All right, Lisa.
00:27:49Ndokun, his second year as head coach here, has done just a fabulous job.
00:27:53Not just turning it around with victories, but changing the culture.
00:27:58Aaron Holiday getting some early minutes.
00:28:00Adams fumbles it a bit, but hangs on.
00:28:02And as we open up the second quarter, aggressive defense from both teams here to start, as you
00:28:09would expect.
00:28:10Shang-Goon, a little baseline.
00:28:13Butler comes out of the pack.
00:28:14Butler goes right at Holiday, draws the foul.
00:28:19Every time he falls down, though, you get concerned if you're the Warriors.
00:28:25And he's just such a master at this.
00:28:27He sees the angle.
00:28:29He goes into the body.
00:28:31Again, if you're Houston, you're like, hey, he's initiated in the contact.
00:28:34That's a 50-50 call.
00:28:36And I'm sure that's what E-May is having that conversation about.
00:28:39But Jimmy Butler has been doing that in his entire career.
00:28:42He has that glute muscle contusion.
00:28:45That's the official word for the pain in the arse.
00:28:50Is that an arse?
00:28:53He missed all of game three.
00:28:59And then came back strong in game four.
00:29:01And they went up three games to one.
00:29:03And didn't play a bunch of minutes in the blowout loss in game five.
00:29:06Yeah, but, Mike, I think one of the things Steve Kerr talked about after game five is he got lost in the sauce.
00:29:12They wanted Jimmy to be involved in that first period, and he was.
00:29:18Warriors very aggressive defensively out near half-court.
00:29:21Shang-Goon against Draymond Green.
00:29:23A little jump hook shot off the mark.
00:29:26Ball tipped.
00:29:28And a new 14 on the shot clock.
00:29:29Holiday wastes no time.
00:29:31Nails a three-pointer.
00:29:33And that's where those offensive rebounds doors get you second chance opportunities.
00:29:37You can look at their percentages and say this and that.
00:29:39But when you're getting second and third looks at it, those percentages start to increase.
00:29:44And the Rockets five offensive rebounds already.
00:29:47They got caught napping there.
00:29:48Butler spots Draymond Green cutting to the bucket.
00:29:50They were back in that 2-1-2 zone.
00:29:53And you see Jabari having a conversation with Emei up the floor.
00:29:56The two guys down there were Shang-Goon and Jabari.
00:30:00Van Vliet harassed by Pajemski.
00:30:06Shang-Goon four for nine to start.
00:30:08He's the leading scorer with eight points already.
00:30:11Nice feet inside.
00:30:12And Adams with the flush.
00:30:13See what happens if you handle the trap.
00:30:15Fred's inviting that.
00:30:16He's like, okay, send two at me because I'm going to get off it and we're going to get a good shot.
00:30:21Dissimilar from what the young Jalen Green is doing.
00:30:23He feels rushed.
00:30:25Post misses the three.
00:30:26Van Vliet.
00:30:27That's smacked by Moody.
00:30:30But this was one of the big things that when I played with Kyrie Irving.
00:30:33He was such an elite scorer.
00:30:35And they had to tell Kyrie, Kyrie, when you got that double, you've done your job.
00:30:39And his growth of understanding that led to so much success.
00:30:43As you see, the ball movement leads to a buck for someone else.
00:30:47Then they stop trapping you.
00:30:48When you beat them is when they stop trapping you.
00:30:51And so that's when it became impressive to watch Van Vliet handle that.
00:30:54Well, I was just about to say great defense from Moody.
00:30:57But a whistle blows.
00:30:59And he's called for a foul.
00:31:00And Van Vliet goes to the free throw line.
00:31:03You can tell by the crowd reaction.
00:31:07Well, they, like us, are excellent when they've got multiple looks.
00:31:10But there's enough contact on the left side, you think?
00:31:13You're shaking your head, Mike Green.
00:31:15You're disagreeing with me.
00:31:16I think what has not been called a lot during these playoffs are the bumps, the holds, and the clutches of the ball handler.
00:31:24I think a lot of the shot attempts, yeah, there's some contact often.
00:31:28But I think that's where the majority of the fouls are coming.
00:31:33Bill Van Vliet knocks down a couple of free throws.
00:31:36This is the largest lead of the first half.
00:31:38Van Vliet off to another good start.
00:31:45Post lines up his three-pointer.
00:31:48Able to nail it.
00:31:49So you're attacking the baseline of the 2-1-2 zone.
00:31:54And a little bit slow.
00:31:55So they beat you on the short corner with Draymond, and then they beat you with that jumper with Post.
00:32:01Moody again.
00:32:02Pressure.
00:32:03Oh, from Post.
00:32:04Van Vliet gets away from the pressure.
00:32:06Jabari Smith off the bounce.
00:32:08Pull up two-point.
00:32:09Chepard's good.
00:32:11And I like that from Jabari Smith, Jr.
00:32:13When you look at it, he kept going.
00:32:15He couldn't get the lead.
00:32:16Let me get to my spot.
00:32:17Let me elevate.
00:32:18I don't need to get any better.
00:32:19This is good enough.
00:32:20And then good knocking it down.
00:32:23Draymond Green finding Butler.
00:32:25Butler spins back up top.
00:32:31Butler surveying the situation.
00:32:33Somebody's got to put it up.
00:32:35Shot clock down to three.
00:32:36Moody on the drive.
00:32:36Goes right at Adams.
00:32:38And Adams knocks it back.
00:32:39Green tries to throw it up.
00:32:4024-second violation.
00:32:43Talk about a brick wall.
00:32:44Mates, don't come at me because I'm going to go straight up vertical and you're going to have no shot.
00:32:55That is just brilliant defense.
00:32:56Boy, Stephen Adams has been a big-time factor in this series.
00:33:00He also had some great comments after game five with all the shenanigans.
00:33:05Actually, he's after game four with all the shenanigans that went on and the extracurricular pushing and shoving and the technicals.
00:33:11And they turn it over.
00:33:13Adams said, keep it basketball, mate.
00:33:15Don't make the game lame.
00:33:17Here's the toughest guy out there.
00:33:19Moody knocks it down.
00:33:20He's not interested in that stuff.
00:33:21He just wants to play basketball.
00:33:23Well, there's basketball tough guys and then there's real tough guys.
00:33:26There's a big difference.
00:33:27There's a lot of people that talk in between the lines, but then they see you in other areas and it's all handshakes.
00:33:33Holidays floater won't go.
00:33:34Draymond Green grabs the rebound.
00:33:39Butler, the hesitation.
00:33:44Draymond Green drives inside.
00:33:45Lost a handle out of bounds.
00:33:47And that's seven turnovers.
00:33:49Now for Golden State as Eason and Thompson come back in.
00:33:53As the great Greg Popovich once said about NBA fights, they're namby-pamby stuff.
00:33:59They're not real.
00:34:00They're not real.
00:34:01They are not.
00:34:03And very rarely do you actually see one that's worth remembering.
00:34:10Well, back in the day, there were quite a few.
00:34:12There were quite a few.
00:34:13There were some great fights back in the day.
00:34:15Most of them are in standard definition, not HD.
00:34:19We don't see those anymore.
00:34:20Van Vliet inside.
00:34:21Nice pass.
00:34:22Well defended.
00:34:24Moody.
00:34:25But Adams comes up and follows it in.
00:34:27Moody made a great defensive play, but maybe the best offensive rebounder in the NBA gets another.
00:34:33And the Rockets up by six.
00:34:34The big fella missed a ton of time with injuries back on the floor, having a huge impact here early in this game.
00:34:45Oh, Steph Curry doing Steph Curry things.
00:35:00Look, he knows that they are not going to leave him.
00:35:03So his teammates have an opportunity to play four-on-four, and that means there's a wide-open court.
00:35:08But even here, just a little bit of separation.
00:35:10Look at this.
00:35:11Three to the ball.
00:35:12That's what they have to do.
00:35:13Steph making the right play.
00:35:15But this is where Steph gets in a little trouble.
00:35:17He tries to get off of it quick, gets the turnover.
00:35:20Same thing here.
00:35:21He's got to make sure that he's clean with and crisp with his passes, because that is one of the few ways that the Houston Rockets can handle their team.
00:35:29See the five points, three turnovers early on.
00:35:34Kevon Looney coming in for the first time out there with Moody, Payton, and Butler.
00:35:40Dylan Brooks returns for the Rockets.
00:35:42Jalen Green, Adams, Tari Eason, and Amin Thompson.
00:35:49Curry, quick release on a three.
00:35:51Rolls off the rim.
00:35:52Kevon Looney tracks it down.
00:35:56Chance of Bloom.
00:35:57And another deflection and steal.
00:35:59Here comes Thompson.
00:36:00Open floor.
00:36:00Payton goes in.
00:36:01Oh, they both go down hard.
00:36:04And Thompson shake it up.
00:36:05Payton went up to block it.
00:36:07They're going to look at it.
00:36:09I think the only thing in question, Mike, is this guy airborne, and is it dangerous because he's airborne?
00:36:14Yeah, but he went airborne.
00:36:16I was so impressed with the speed in which Gary Payton went up and got to the spot and went with two.
00:36:22He put himself in danger as much as anything.
00:36:25This wasn't trying to go for a block.
00:36:27This was more of like, I'm going to try and go verticality.
00:36:30Again, a foul is a foul without a doubt.
00:36:33But, boy, this was scary for both players.
00:36:34A foul on the play.
00:36:35The same doesn't meet the criteria for a play in the car.
00:36:37When you watch when Thompson goes down, he does get that left hand down, but then hits the back of his head.
00:36:47That's what you worry about, certainly.
00:36:49Obviously, going back and look like his hip or backside.
00:36:52Well, when you hit the back of your head, you always worry about concussion because that's snapped.
00:36:58On review, we have A to B movement by the defender and his body contact, but it does not meet the criteria for a flag of foul, so we have two free throws on the play.
00:37:06That's a terrible fall, but it was a basketball play.
00:37:10100%, and can we give a shout-out for how quickly we got in and out of that review?
00:37:15They looked at it quick and said, let's keep the game going, which I love.
00:37:18But, yeah, that's a tough one.
00:37:20But Gary Payton, the second, look at how he landed.
00:37:22That is scary for both players.
00:37:24They are both putting their body at risk, trying to get the job done.
00:37:28And Thompson appears to be okay.
00:37:31So Payton picks up the foul.
00:37:34Between Amin Thompson and Asar Thompson, their performances in these playoffs.
00:37:39Asar Thompson's Pistons eliminated last night.
00:37:42Rockets trying to make sure that doesn't happen.
00:37:44These are two just elite defensive players in just their second year in the NBA.
00:37:50Well, you get the NBA app for nonstop playoff access with real-time scores and highlights.
00:37:55You know, behind the scenes with new episodes of the original series, Chasing History.
00:38:00Download the NBA app today.
00:38:03I love what somebody described Amin Thompson's defensive ability.
00:38:07He's a one-man double team.
00:38:10I actually have never heard that before.
00:38:14Five minutes have gone by here in the second.
00:38:16Butler sees an opening, drives inside, goes at Adams.
00:38:20Slay-up won't go.
00:38:22A whistle and a foul.
00:38:24Adams does not like the call if it's on him.
00:38:28These would be free throws number five and six.
00:38:32And this is who Jimmy Butler is.
00:38:34Plays off two feet.
00:38:35He's exceptional.
00:38:37Little bit of a hiccup on the screening action.
00:38:41And he takes advantage.
00:38:42He reads your slowness.
00:38:44Great screen by Gary.
00:38:46And then he gets a window to the cup.
00:38:48As soon as he sees that angle, he is off.
00:38:51And this is the thing about Jimmy.
00:38:52People are like, oh, he's always free throw.
00:38:54You have to put your body on the line consistently if you're consistently trying to shoot free throws.
00:38:59And you see Gary Payton the second with a little bit of a hold.
00:39:03That's what Dylan Brooks went and complained to the official.
00:39:05But Jimmy Butler is downhill.
00:39:07He is looking downhill at all times.
00:39:10Ten points.
00:39:10Six of six in the line as you see.
00:39:13He dismisses it.
00:39:14But playoff Jimmy is real.
00:39:16And then Thompson looking, searching, continues to dribble.
00:39:22Kicks it back out, Eason.
00:39:23Shot clock at seven.
00:39:24Eason, nice maneuver, and lays it up at in.
00:39:26Tari Eason with a beautiful move.
00:39:30Rockets back up by seven.
00:39:38Jimmy Butler goes at Adams once again.
00:39:40Good help there from Brooks.
00:39:41Moody down the lane.
00:39:46Oh, tried to throw it down, but Adams met him at the rim.
00:39:51Eason in the front court.
00:39:53Kicks it out the corner.
00:39:54Jalen Green can't hit the three.
00:39:57Green now one for six from the field.
00:39:59Here comes Butler.
00:40:02Moody tries a three.
00:40:03That's good.
00:40:05Knows is Moody.
00:40:07With his third field goal, he's got eight points off the bench.
00:40:10Big swing there.
00:40:12You get a very good electric shooter in Jalen Green.
00:40:16An open three.
00:40:16He can't make it.
00:40:17And Moody, who's a little more experienced, he calmly walks into it.
00:40:22Dillon Brooks.
00:40:23Brooks pulls up.
00:40:24Line drive won't go.
00:40:25Rebound tipped right back up the Brooks, but a whistle.
00:40:30He's going to go against Golden State.
00:40:32I believe it's against Looney.
00:40:33Moody.
00:40:36Yep.
00:40:39Oh, Moody off the one leg has all of the opportunity to have the dunk of the postseason on the big fella.
00:40:48But, hey, you know what I was always taught?
00:40:50Three is worth more than two.
00:40:51So, you take that one and keep it pushing.
00:40:53It all worked out in the end.
00:40:54It all worked out in the end.
00:40:56The crowd doesn't like that last foul call.
00:41:01Looney picked up his first.
00:41:02You saw him talking.
00:41:03Now, Steve Kerr or Mitchell Irvin.
00:41:08Extra delight in the missed three throw.
00:41:10Not only for the Rockets, but Dillon Brooks, who, of course, is villain number one.
00:41:14People ask you, oh, what do you think?
00:41:18I love Dillon Brooks.
00:41:20And, to me, look, I love Dillon Green.
00:41:23Those are players that you need for high-level teams.
00:41:26Now, do they have to keep things in check?
00:41:29Yes.
00:41:30But give me one of those dogs on my team at any point in time.
00:41:34They are so important.
00:41:35I had Kenyon Martin on my team when we went to two finals of the Mets.
00:41:38Dillon, the villain, the persona he embraces, and it overshadows a really talented two-way player.
00:41:46Yeah, and that's why I take him on my team, because I see that talent.
00:41:50Gary Payton back to Moody.
00:41:52Moody's been in attack mode.
00:41:54Steps back, three-pointer.
00:41:57And Thompson with a rebound.
00:41:59Coming up on five minutes remaining here in the first half.
00:42:01One of those defensive grinds again.
00:42:03Thompson drives inside.
00:42:04Kicks it out.
00:42:05Green.
00:42:06Eason, plenty of time.
00:42:07Nails another one.
00:42:09Second three-pointer.
00:42:10He's three for three from the field.
00:42:11Amen Thompson is not a tremendous shooter.
00:42:13They're not going to guard him.
00:42:14But you know what he's found these last two games?
00:42:16His drive game.
00:42:17And he's creating, sometimes for himself, in that instance for others.
00:42:21Curry sneaks inside.
00:42:22Can't finish.
00:42:23Rebound batted.
00:42:25Cangun, quick outlet.
00:42:26Here comes Jalen Green.
00:42:27Jalen Green.
00:42:29Scoop shot won't go.
00:42:30Rebound Payton.
00:42:31Pass deflected.
00:42:32Brooks comes up with it.
00:42:33And Brooks lays it up and in.
00:42:35Another turnover for the Golden State Warriors.
00:42:38I'm sorry, but Jalen Green has to take off right there.
00:42:41He's got to take off and finish.
00:42:43He can't avoid contact in that moment.
00:42:46You are one for seven.
00:42:47You get an opportunity.
00:42:48You finish that hoop.
00:42:49You go aggressive.
00:42:51Make the officials have to make a call.
00:42:53Curry had the ball knocked out.
00:42:55And it looked like it was going to be called Houston Ball instead of foul was called.
00:42:59And then Thompson is first.
00:43:02I was a young player.
00:43:04You got to go up.
00:43:05You got to bring it back.
00:43:06You're avoiding contact.
00:43:08When you avoid contact, referees aren't going to get a call, aren't going to give you a call.
00:43:12You got to play through that.
00:43:13And then he referenced shaky legs in game one.
00:43:17He said, the crowd looked big.
00:43:18The moment felt big.
00:43:19And he said, I was nervous.
00:43:20He's rushed right now.
00:43:22And this is part of what E-Mae's enduring with Jalen Green.
00:43:25Going through it for the first time.
00:43:27You see that youth on the floor.
00:43:30Green, Shang-Goon.
00:43:31Eason.
00:43:32That shot blocked.
00:43:33Drayvon Green got a piece of it.
00:43:34Butler the rebound.
00:43:36Did not see Drayvon Green down the other end.
00:43:38Pajemski does, though.
00:43:39Green layup.
00:43:40Missed it.
00:43:41Rebound Pajemski.
00:43:42Tied up.
00:43:43Triple team.
00:43:44And a held ball.
00:43:51That will jump it up at the Warriors free throw line circle.
00:43:57So, he was open early in the possession.
00:43:59Pajemski finds him.
00:44:01And then once Pajemski gives it up, this guy always opportunistic to the offensive window.
00:44:06But the swarming Houston Rockets, that is who they are.
00:44:10Houston, right there.
00:44:12They are a reflection of their coach.
00:44:14Tough and physical.
00:44:19Eason wins the jump as we're under four minutes remaining.
00:44:22A 12-point lead.
00:44:23Golden State has 35 points.
00:44:26And there's less than four minutes to play.
00:44:27They've got 10 turnovers.
00:44:29A whistle and a foul.
00:44:30As Thompson gets knocked down.
00:44:33That's going to be Steph Curry's third personal foul.
00:44:36You see what I mean about him and Thompson?
00:44:38Last couple games, this young man has figured out, you know what?
00:44:42My first step is pretty good.
00:44:44I can get by.
00:44:45And the one guy in front of him is Steph.
00:44:47And he is not quick enough to stop that young man.
00:44:51No, and it's okay.
00:44:52It's okay to just go downhill.
00:44:54When you're a young player still learning how to shoot, you go downhill aggressive.
00:44:58And sometimes you just pray good things will happen.
00:45:00It's good to be young and athletic.
00:45:02He has struggled at the free throw line.
00:45:04There you see Curry's numbers.
00:45:05The three fouls, obviously important.
00:45:08Thompson's 62% from the line.
00:45:10These are his first NBA playoffs.
00:45:14Nima Udoka's talking about that, that these young guys,
00:45:17they're learning what it's like to win a game in the playoffs.
00:45:20Thompson coming off his best game in game five.
00:45:27Here's Curry.
00:45:28Find some room.
00:45:29Three-pointer knocks it down.
00:45:31Steph Curry is second three-pointer.
00:45:33Warriors needed that after Houston had opened up the big lead.
00:45:37Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!
00:45:46Van Vliet back in.
00:45:48Makes the move.
00:45:49Pulls up.
00:45:50Nice feed.
00:45:50Thompson blocked by Green.
00:45:52Draymond Green, the rejection.
00:45:54Curry comes the other way.
00:45:55Buddy Heal.
00:45:56Catch.
00:45:57Fire.
00:46:00And Shang-Goon comes down with it.
00:46:02Shang-Goon who leads the Rockets in scoring.
00:46:05Rebounds.
00:46:06Assists and steals.
00:46:07Through the first five games of this series in his first playoffs.
00:46:11See them trying to go at Steph, but Draymond's hovering there so he can take it.
00:46:16And do it again.
00:46:17A rare three.
00:46:18He's taken two of them.
00:46:19Curry against Brooks.
00:46:20Curry on the drive.
00:46:21Trying to draw contact.
00:46:22He does.
00:46:23They're going to wave it off.
00:46:25There's a foul.
00:46:26Jason Goble is waving it off.
00:46:27Are they going to count it?
00:46:28Are they going to count it?
00:46:30Yes.
00:46:31Now they are.
00:46:32The initial signal was before.
00:46:36Instead, Curry's going to get a chance for a three-point play.
00:46:39He could never relax against Steph Curry.
00:46:41He just had a three go down.
00:46:43As soon as he feels that contact on his hip, he wisely is going to get into his shooting motion.
00:46:49They are ever aware of where he is, and sometimes it doesn't matter.
00:46:54And look, you just lose focus in this game for one second.
00:46:58Great screen by Pajimsky.
00:47:00Step three, step three, that's automatic.
00:47:11The Indiana Fever taking on the Brazilian national team Sunday afternoon from Carver Hawkeye Arena
00:47:17on the campus of the University of Iowa.
00:47:20Game tips at 4 Eastern on ESPN with pregame coverage beginning with WNBA countdown at three.
00:47:27244 remaining here in a second.
00:47:32The Warriors now within six.
00:47:33Curry's going to shoot that.
00:47:34Originally looked like they were going to call on the floor.
00:47:37By the way, the official that originally called up was J.B. DeRosa, not Jason Goble.
00:47:43Not here today.
00:47:45Did you get a text?
00:47:46He did a game the other night that I did.
00:47:50Mike, Mike, if you're trying to segue into your work last night, Mike.
00:47:55No, no, no.
00:47:56Doors, Doors.
00:47:57He's walked around this building with everyone applauding his work ethic.
00:48:01And you know what?
00:48:02Let us be the first ones to say, Mike, thank you for joining us.
00:48:05Stop talking.
00:48:08Curry completes the three-point play.
00:48:12And the lead is five.
00:48:14Thompson, Buddy Heal, trying to put some pressure on.
00:48:18Brooks catches, fires, can't hit for Jemsky to rebound.
00:48:21Curry playing with three fouls.
00:48:27Gets inside, flips it up, and draws yet another foul.
00:48:32Van Vliet, his second.
00:48:34Two areas that have saved Golden State in this half.
00:48:39Transition opportunities.
00:48:40I think they've got 15 there.
00:48:42And then free throws, Richard.
00:48:44I think this is now 13 and 14.
00:48:46Jimmy's got a bunch.
00:48:47Steph just wisely.
00:48:49Understanding who's behind him.
00:48:51Momentum going to carry Fred into him.
00:48:53Once he's on your hip, forget about it.
00:48:56Well, it's 16 to 3 fast break points.
00:48:58That's what we have on our stat.
00:49:00And that's the older team in Golden State.
00:49:02They're doing a good job of keeping Houston out of transition.
00:49:06But it's not the same for Houston.
00:49:08Well, Curry hearing chants of MVP.
00:49:10He was talking about before the game what Jimmy Butler's meant to him.
00:49:14He said it's just given him and Draymond Green confidence.
00:49:17They can beat anybody now.
00:49:20And they're showing in the winning percentage.
00:49:22The Warriors are halftime.
00:49:24Presented by Hyundai.
00:49:27Well, it's been a strong first half for the Rockets,
00:49:30despite Jalen Green's some struggles.
00:49:32The others have picked up the slack.
00:49:36We'll discuss all of the happenings here in Game 6.
00:49:39Eight straight points now.
00:49:41A good answer from the Warriors.
00:49:43It's back to 3.
00:49:51Warriors in their own zone.
00:49:53Both of these teams' last couple of games are going heavy zone.
00:49:56Gangun, a couple of fakes.
00:49:58Short arms it a bit.
00:49:59Green to rebound.
00:50:00Curry pushes the pace.
00:50:02Curry sets, fires.
00:50:04It's good!
00:50:06Steph Curry cooking now.
00:50:07The game is tied.
00:50:14Van Vliet thought about it.
00:50:18Jalen Green.
00:50:20Buddy Yield pressuring him.
00:50:23Van Vliet in the corner.
00:50:24Dylan Brooks spake.
00:50:25Shot clock at 6.
00:50:26All poked away.
00:50:28Brooks gets it back.
00:50:29Brooks gets it back.
00:50:29Has to fire.
00:50:30Comes up short.
00:50:31Fight for the rebound.
00:50:31Curry pokes it away from Thompson.
00:50:37Pajemski.
00:50:39In and out.
00:50:40And Shangun caroused the rebound.
00:50:42Nearly stolen by Pajemski.
00:50:46Quite the answer here from the Warriors after the Rockets threw a punch.
00:50:50Yeah, this zone has flummoxed Houston in this last couple of minutes.
00:50:54Nice feet inside.
00:50:55Van Vliet settles things down and gets an easy bucket for the Rockets.
00:50:59It's not like they've had a couple of good shots.
00:51:01That inside the free throw line jumper by Shangun.
00:51:03That's his sweet spot, Richard.
00:51:05He just missed it on the prior possession.
00:51:07If you get it to your point guard with championship experience, he gets you an easy bucket.
00:51:11Final minute.
00:51:13The pace is picked up a little bit.
00:51:17Butler.
00:51:18Buddy Yield.
00:51:19Stripped and stolen.
00:51:20Ball picked up now by Brooks.
00:51:22Brooks ahead to Thompson.
00:51:24Find Shangun.
00:51:25Jalen Green drives.
00:51:26Three-pointer.
00:51:27That's good.
00:51:27Jalen Green from downtown.
00:51:29His first three-pointer.
00:51:31He was one for seven overall.
00:51:32The Rockets back up by five.
00:51:36Curry trying to draw a foul.
00:51:38Launches his three-pointer.
00:51:41And the air ball goes out of bounds.
00:51:43Trying to quit two for one.
00:51:46But you've got to be able to execute against the zone.
00:51:49Get to the spots.
00:51:50And this is the last little transition opportunity here.
00:51:53Just spot up.
00:51:57Make a three.
00:51:57Get under your feet.
00:51:59And maybe that shuttles Jalen Green in here a bit, Richard.
00:52:02Well, it's the confidence of that catch and shoot that I like.
00:52:05That's what it is.
00:52:06I caught it.
00:52:06Yes, it's a transition.
00:52:08Let it go.
00:52:09I think where he's getting in trouble is because he's trying to handle and figure it out.
00:52:13About a three-and-a-half-second difference shot clock and game clock.
00:52:18Majemski guarding Jalen Green.
00:52:20Six on the 24.
00:52:22Slips.
00:52:22Stumbles.
00:52:23Almost lost it.
00:52:24Gets it to Thompson.
00:52:25Thompson with two on the shot clock.
00:52:26Jumper's good.
00:52:28Now then Thompson puts Houston up by seven final seconds.
00:52:33Butler gets it off and draws the foul.
00:52:35And one.
00:52:36Jimmy Butler felt some contact and a chance for the three-point play.
00:52:41Was it beyond the arc?
00:52:42It could be a four-point play.
00:52:51Let's see.
00:52:52We can't tell from this angle.
00:52:53I think it was a two.
00:52:56That was close.
00:52:58Either way, the bucket counts.
00:53:01Yep.
00:53:01Yeah.
00:53:01When you have so much youth and inexperience on the court,
00:53:08you can't have a mistake like that from one of your experienced players in Dylan Brooks.
00:53:13And Brooks picks up his third foul.
00:53:16Butler misses the free throw.
00:53:17Nearly tipped in by Moody.
00:53:20And the first half comes to an end.
00:53:23Steph Curry at 16 points.
00:53:26But he had three fouls and a bunch of turnovers.
00:53:28Meanwhile, the leading scorer, Fred VanVleet, for the Rockets.
00:53:34Curry bouncing back from the subpar performance in Game 5.
00:53:38The game's leading scorer with 16.
00:53:40And as mentioned, VanVleet doing a little bit of everything for the Rockets.
00:53:44Two quarters complete here in Game 6.
00:53:46The Rockets a five-point lead as they try to stay alive.
00:53:52NBA First Round.
00:53:53Presented by ESPN Bet Sportsbook.
00:53:56is brought to you by Grubhub.
00:53:58Get your fan fuel delivered with Grubhub.
00:54:01And Jurassic World Rebirth.
00:54:03In theaters July 2nd.
00:54:15Duncan!
00:54:16Run.
00:54:16Welcome back.
00:54:25NBA Playoffs presented by Google.
00:54:27First Round presented by ESPN Bet Sportsbook.
00:54:29A lot of physical play in the first round.
00:54:31We had a flagrant early on.
00:54:32And the usual physical, defensive-oriented first half.
00:54:38These two teams have played through the first five games.
00:54:40A lot of knockdowns.
00:54:42A lot of hard fouls.
00:54:44And that leads to stats that aren't the most wonderful offensive stats.
00:54:48As you see the shooting, including Golden State, just 39% from the field.
00:54:53And 11 turnovers.
00:54:55Rockets getting a lot of points in the paint.
00:54:58Our first half stats brought to you by ESPN Bet, the official sportsbook of ESPN.
00:55:03Well, before the game, one of the things Steve Kerr said was important was cutting down the turnovers.
00:55:09That wasn't the case for them in the first half.
00:55:11No, that was not the case.
00:55:12And that was really, in my opinion, the difference in the game.
00:55:15You watch this.
00:55:16Steph Curry.
00:55:17They're showing a wall.
00:55:18They got three guys there.
00:55:20Now, if he can get off of that, the Warriors got the advantage.
00:55:22But this was the first bucket for Green.
00:55:25So you start to see the things start to steamroll here.
00:55:28They have great high hands, high discipline from this Houston Rockets team.
00:55:33And now they're off in transition.
00:55:35That's how they want to play.
00:55:36And the Warriors have to clean that up.
00:55:39Meanwhile, for the Rockets.
00:55:40Well, I like how they comported themselves.
00:55:43Third youngest team in the league.
00:55:44Obviously, some youth shows up.
00:55:46If this is a possession ball game late, obviously, you would think the advantage goes to Golden State.
00:55:52Now, this is their second elimination game.
00:55:55As Jimmy Butler starts off with a three-pointer and cuts it to two.
00:55:59Richard is an elimination game, say, from the team that's facing elimination.
00:56:04Like, how much do you think of that during the course of the game?
00:56:07That this is it.
00:56:07We could be out.
00:56:08I think leading into it, as you see Fanfleet knock down that three, leading into it, your intensity is different.
00:56:16In that moment, you're not playing to survive.
00:56:19You understand your approach, and then you just have that kind of mentality throughout the game.
00:56:26Good look.
00:56:28Three-pointer won't go.
00:56:29Butler, aggressive early on.
00:56:31How about at the very end, like in the final couple of minutes,
00:56:34and you know that if you don't make a couple of plays, your season's over.
00:56:38Does it come to mind then?
00:56:38No, it's staying in the moment.
00:56:40The more you stay in the moment, the more you stay.
00:56:43You're not worried about what's going to happen in 15 minutes.
00:56:46You're worried about the next play as you see Shingun make the bucket.
00:56:50The more you can stay present, the more you can stay in the moment.
00:56:53Everything else just falls in line.
00:56:55Shingun now in double figures.
00:56:57The second rocket.
00:56:58Again, what's been a fairly low-scoring game.
00:57:01Van Vliet guarding Draymond Green.
00:57:06Butler, already a couple of buckets here to start the third.
00:57:10Brooks guarding him.
00:57:11Butler jump shot.
00:57:12Misses.
00:57:13Van Vliet grabs the rebound.
00:57:15And Vliet, a little bit of everything.
00:57:1613 points, four boards, four assists.
00:57:22Shot blocked, but a foul.
00:57:24Buddy Heald called for the foul as we go to Lisa.
00:57:27Yeah, Mike, coming out of the locker room,
00:57:28Steve Kerr talked about the turnovers that Richard mentioned.
00:57:32He said that's what they have to clean up in the second half.
00:57:34He did like their 19 transition points to the rocket six.
00:57:38He said that's why we feel good,
00:57:40that if we can take care of the ball
00:57:41and limit their points off of our turnovers,
00:57:44he said we feel like we can get out and run on them
00:57:46and get good shots.
00:57:48All right, thank you, Lisa.
00:57:49Van Vliet now with 14.
00:57:56Van Vliet, one of the great stories
00:57:58in the NBA,
00:58:00he's barely six feet tall,
00:58:01undrafted,
00:58:02turned himself into an all-star
00:58:04and NBA champions,
00:58:06made over $200 million in contracts.
00:58:08He is just a great, tough competitor.
00:58:13Not afraid of the playoff pressure.
00:58:16Draymond Green misses.
00:58:17Buddy Heald, the rebound.
00:58:21Jalen Green gets out on Heald.
00:58:24Pressuring all the way out at half court.
00:58:25Heald has to pick up his dribble.
00:58:26Shot clock at four.
00:58:28Butler trying to make something out of it.
00:58:29Kicks it out.
00:58:30He just gets it off in time
00:58:32and hits the three
00:58:33as the shot clock expires.
00:58:36But again, there's two guys
00:58:38they're not guarding
00:58:40from the three-point line.
00:58:41It allows Amen to just stay hugged up
00:58:43on Steph Curry.
00:58:44They're clean switching
00:58:45the other two threats.
00:58:47And, you know,
00:58:48you're hiding Shen Goon
00:58:49on Gary Payton a second.
00:58:50They're going to have those shots.
00:58:52Van Vliet.
00:58:53Thompson.
00:58:54Jump shot is good.
00:58:55Nice looking jumper from Thompson.
00:58:56He's got eight points now.
00:58:58Vliet back up to six for the Rockets.
00:59:00And a hole.
00:59:06That layup will not count.
00:59:10And then when you watch
00:59:12the Houston Rockets offense,
00:59:14very simple.
00:59:15They're getting to the open spot.
00:59:16Thompson knocks down
00:59:17the little jumper.
00:59:18But I don't see that pressure.
00:59:21Golden State has an opportunity
00:59:22to close out this series.
00:59:24They know with the opportunity
00:59:26that they have in front of them.
00:59:28I have not seen the typical
00:59:30Golden State energy
00:59:32and intensity to start this game.
00:59:34Brooks just picked up
00:59:35his fourth foul.
00:59:36So he'll sit down.
00:59:37Butler gets underneath there.
00:59:39Brooks coming off
00:59:39his best game of the series.
00:59:41But quiet here tonight.
00:59:43Shot clock winding down again.
00:59:45Butler gets inside.
00:59:45Blocked by Adams.
00:59:47Stephen Adams does it again.
00:59:48His second rejection.
00:59:52Van Vliet pulls up.
00:59:53Nails the three.
00:59:54Fred Van Vliet now
00:59:55with 18 points.
00:59:56And a lead up to nine.
00:59:58And a lead up to nine.