The Golden State Warriors got off to a very poor start in Game 1 against the Houston Rockets but finished with a flourish, stealing a game on the road by the score of 119-106.
The Rockets were helpless to stop the offensive onslaught put forth by the road team, which finished the game having converted 52.5 percent of its shots from the field.
We are here for the disrespect.pic.twitter.com/apHFmxZdPP
— Stadium (@Stadium) May 15, 2018
In particular, Kevin Durant was just indomitable, despite some shady efforts to derail him by one Chris Paul. He finished with 37 points on 14-of-27 shooting to lead the Warriors.
https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/996221792523087873
Durant might be the most entertaining player to watch in any sport.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) May 15, 2018
you're locked in a gym with kevin durant. you can't leave until you stop him defensively one time. you must abide by normal nba rules.
do you die in there?
— tim cato (@tim_cato) May 15, 2018
“I don’t see any ribs anywhere but I know his name is KD and he is BBQ’ing the Rockets right now.” pic.twitter.com/R9LKw3sE9U
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) May 15, 2018
Of course, there was a controversial sequence late in the fourth quarter that proved to be a huge swing for the Warriors. Klay Thompson should have been called for a backcourt violation, but instead the refs didn’t call it and Thompson hit a three to push Golden State to a 10-point lead.
So yeah,,,that was a backcourt violation on the Warriors.. pic.twitter.com/qbOyJFOSuK
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 15, 2018
*receives pass
*looks around
*checks text messages
*gets bored
*shoots
*knocks down shot
*Warriors by 10 pic.twitter.com/ZyxNtmQ5wy— KNBR (@KNBR) May 15, 2018
And for the Warriors conspiracy theorists: Rockets fans aren't happy with the Foster crew right now.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) May 15, 2018
That blatant missed call on the backcourt violation, followed by that Warriors three pointer that followed was the dagger of all daggers for this Rockets team. That was bad. #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/8QZcS2DiPW
— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) May 15, 2018
Completely changed the game. Back court violation called rockets are easily in the game since it wasn't refs let the warriors go up by 10 https://t.co/wqnqP7D80c
— Westbrick baby. (@PrimeZack) May 15, 2018
The game had a frantic feel about it from the opening, and fans all over the place were highly engaged.
This game looks like the Finals last year. 2017 Cavs were the best in franchise history and yet the Warriors were still 10 points better.
— Ian Valentino (@NFLDraftStudy) May 15, 2018
"I dropped 41 and we still lost by double-digits?" pic.twitter.com/Ltr4r3Yfmr
— Stadium (@Stadium) May 15, 2018
The death lineup of the Warriors is too much for the NBA. #Dubnation #LetsGoWarriors pic.twitter.com/R11FUmjK6p
— Ricardo (@rikynoriky) May 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/hennything55/status/996227619447365633
All that work to get home court advantage pic.twitter.com/CQT8yiOmkN
— Deacon Sports (@DeaconSports) May 15, 2018
thinking about the cavs trying to defend either of these teams pic.twitter.com/9bFnw97k8i
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) May 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/NOTATSB__/status/996216936961847296
How do you beat Golden State? Besides praying for divine intervention.
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) May 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/alinathequeenx/status/996226366759751681
If Golden State wins again in Game 2, we can probably kiss the Rockets goodbye. As it stands now, it’s not looking great for Houston, though there’s still a lot of basketball left to be played.