NBA Playoffs: Warriors shoot, Rockets shove

The sport is often portrayed as ballet in sneakers, all grace and beauty. But as we know too well, there are times when the NBA would seem to stand for National Boxing Association, especially in the playoffs. The history of physical play, as it is known—more accurately described as quasi-rough—is very much a part of the game.

When the Golden State Warriors played and defeated the Chicago Bulls in the 1975 postseason, there was plenty of shoving and grabbing by guys like Cliff Ray, as well as Chicago’s Norm Van Lier and Jerry Sloan. And that was the series when the Bulls coach Dick Motta offered the infamous observation, “it ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.”

There wasn’t music of any sort when the Golden State Warriors defeated the Rockets, 95-85, on Sunday night of the first game of their Western Conference series. There weren’t many points either, another reminder that in the postseason, defense takes charge. Fittingly, “charge” is also the perfect word for the kind of foul you’re likely to see.

As the best-of-seven series against the Rockets heads into game two Wednesday night in Houston, the probability is that there will be even more physical play, especially from the Rockets, who can’t shoot very well and try to keep the opponent from shooting very well. 

Warriors coach Steve Kerr referred to the style as 1990s basketball, but it doesn’t matter how you do it; just get the job done.

The Warriors can also play defense. In fact, that was their method of winning the four championships. Stop the other team, grab the ball, and go.

The going was a bit erratic Sunday night. The Warriors built a twenty-three-point lead, which late in the game was trimmed to four. That in itself is not surprising. Pro basketball is a sport of runs, teams scoring in bunches, and then not scoring. Also not surprising was the Warriors’ Steph Curry leading both teams in scoring with 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.  

The new guy—well, almost new—Jimmy Butler added 25, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals. The trade from two months ago keeps looking better and better.

The Warriors also had offensive support from two others: Brandin Podziemski, who tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, and Moses Moody, who added seven points. “Pods,” as he is known, and Moody kept Golden State in touch—and in the lead—when the two big guns, Steph and Butler, were given a needed break. 

The prediction was that the series would go at least six games, maybe the full seven. The issue always is the ability to adjust. A team responds and then makes the changes it hopes will be the proper ones.

Draymond Green, the heart of the Warriors’ defense, insisted the team needs to play better, even though it was a winner in Game 1.

“We need to correct a lot of things,” said Green, pointing out about the Rockets, “they rough you up, they grab, they hold, they crash the boards, very, extremely physical team.”