In the series preview I co-authored prior to the 2018 Western Conference Finals, we wrote that the Golden State Warriors are “perfectly composed” to beat the Houston Rockets.
Game 1 seemed to confirm that thought as the Warriors charged past the Rockets for a 119-106 win.
The champs shackled the offensive dynamo that is the Rockets to 45% shooting from the field, and outscored them 18-3 on fastbreak points. We also caught an eyeful of Stephen Curry and Kevon Looney guarding Harden on switches in Game 1. BBallbreakdown did an excellent job diagramming how that scheme weathered Harden’s spectacular shotmaking early on, before adjusting and clamping down late as he wearied.