The Warriors battle against each other: The life and death game tests Curry s ability to lead the team, can the Rockets continue the youth storm

Both core players of the Warriors are over 35 years old. Faced with the Rockets, which are mainly young players, they are clearly at a disadvantage in terms of physical fitness, protracted battles, and even impact. If the Warriors were behind by a one-to-three total, few would believe they could achieve a reversal. This team is better at playing in one go, but it is difficult to maintain their stamina. Every extra game will increase their physical energy consumption and hidden dangers. On the other hand, although the Rockets do not want to fall into a situation where they are behind in the score, young players are not afraid of desperate situations. As the playoffs progress, the experience and strength of these players are improving rapidly. It was not an accident that the Warriors lost to the Rockets away, but such a complete defeat undoubtedly sounded the alarm for them. In the next game, they had no way out.

The Warriors defeated the Rockets away, and their promotion prospects were cast in shadow. This game not only demonstrated the Rockets' huge potential, but also exposed the Warriors' deep crisis. Although the total score is still superior, the Warriors who play at home in the next round have no way out and must fight back to advance. This game reflects the Warriors' fatal shortcomings: when Curry was unable to stand up when he was strictly guarded, no teammate could stand up. Although Butler is good at consolidating his lead or shooting key goals, he lacks the explosive scoring power to turn the tide, and 30 points in a single game is his limit. In the final analysis, how far the Warriors go in the playoffs and whether they can win depends on Curry alone.

Curry's condition has declined significantly in the last two games, lacks aggressiveness on the offensive end, and his concentration has also dropped significantly. He has frequently made low-level mistakes such as passing mistakes and stealing, allowing the Rockets to seize the opportunity to repeatedly launch a fast break counterattack. Obviously, the veteran's physical fitness has already turned on a red light and has entered a stage of physical and mental exhaustion. For players of this age, it is almost impossible to recover completely in a short period of time. Now they can only grit their teeth and hold on. If they can win in the next game, they can get a valuable respite. Judging from the current situation, if the Warriors want to win, Curry needs to score at least 30 points. But the question is, can he still shoulder such an offensive burden when he is physically overdrawn? The Warriors' hope for promotion is still hanging on his shoulders, so who can he rely on? The Warriors need to readjust the rotation strategy. Although Butler can share part of the offensive pressure, the team should give Moody more playing time instead of over-trust Hilde. Kerr's decision to put him on the starting lineup is worth discussing. As a veteran, Hilder's offensive state is fluctuating, his shooting lacks stability, and his defensive end is even more obvious. In contrast, Moody is young and energetic, full of strength on the defensive end and impact on the offensive end. He is more eager to prove himself in such a critical game. After the game, Cole admitted that the team failed to match the Rockets' desire to win in terms of preparation and game intensity. Although the Rockets are one of the top teams in the league and have outstanding regular season results, the real gap between the two sides should never reach more than 20. It is an unexpected situation for the starter to punch in and get off work in three quarters. After returning to home, the Warriors must regroup and as long as they adjust properly, they are fully capable of winning important games. The key lies in the optimization of rotation and the mobilization of player status, especially whether Curry can recover, and whether young players such as Moody can gain more trust.

There are only one day off, which is a serious test for the Rockets and the Warriors. The Rockets have the advantage of being young and recover faster; while the Warriors have the upper hand with their rich playoff experience. The next game is bound to be another tit-for-tat contest, but the Warriors have a slight advantage, after all, they play at home. With the familiar environment and the cheers of home fans, their competitive state will definitely be better than this one. For the Warriors, it is not difficult to win if they show their momentum to burn their boats as soon as they start the game and try to fight back.