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VanVleet leads a Rocket-fuelled charge into NBA decider
Janie McCauley • May 3rd, 2025 5:15 pm
Golden State's Stephen Curry tries to keep Houston's Fred VanVleet at arm's length | Photo: AP
Fred VanVleet led the way as the Houston Rockets kept their season alive by beating the Golden State Warriors and forcing a deciding Game 7 in their first-round NBA play-off series.
VanVleet had 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds and teammate Alperen Sengun contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds for Houston as the visitors won 115-107 on Friday night (Saturday NZST).
Golden State went cold when it mattered most. The Warriors missed 13 straight shots between Draymond Green's basket with 10:12 left and a three-pointer by Stephen Curry at the 3:35 mark.
Now, everybody will get back on a plane and head to Houston for Game 7 on Sunday (Monday NZST) for a chance to meet well-rested Minnesota in the Western Conference semi-finals. That's exactly what the Warriors were hoping to avoid with a chance to clinch the series at home in Chase Center.
Curry scored 29 points but shot 9-of-23, going 6-for-16 from deep. Jimmy Butler added 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Houston coach Ime Udoka improved to 5-1 when facing elimination.
VanVleet converted a four-point play to start the fourth quarter after the Warriors had pulled within two with a Curry flurry to end the third.
Jalen Green scored the next time down on a put-back of his own miss. Then, VanVleet's three from the top with 6:47 remaining put Houston up 101-89.
"We can't give up a four-point play in a two-point game," the Warriors' Draymond Green said.
Curry's driving lay-up with 39 seconds left in the third made it a four-point game, firing up the home crowd in bright yellow play-off shirts with matching rally towels. He then made two free throws as the Warriors pulled within 86-84.
But the Warriors couldn't keep it going. With a balanced effort on both ends - including 17 points and hustle plays by big man Steven Adams off the bench - Houston had an answer nearly every time Golden State threatened or made a big play.
Kiwi big man Steven Adams made a huge impact from Houston's bench | Photo: AP
The Warriors led 3-1 in the series but fell behind in a hurry in a 131-116 Game 5 loss on Wednesday night as Houston's offence rolled after averaging 98 points through the first four games of the series.
VanVleet was brilliant again on Friday. He shot 7-for-13 from the floor after consecutive games going 8-for-13, and he converted all nine of his free throws. From three-point range in the past three games, VanVleet is 18-for-27.
"He's comfortable, he's getting where he wants to get to," Draymond Green said. "Somehow you've got to break that up."
That's why Warriors coach Steve Kerr went to defensive specialist Gary Payton II in the starting line-up in place of Brandin Podziemski.
Draymond Green passed Isiah Thomas (987) for 15th place on the NBA play-off assists list and now has 992.
The Warriors dropped to 27-11 since Butler's debut on February 8 after his trade from Miami.
- AP
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