Rockets implode in humiliating Game 3 loss to Warriors

There are few words to describe the Houston Rockets’ play in their Game 3 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Ineffective is too soft, a choke job too harsh. The truth lies somewhere in the depressing middle.

The Rockets had too much nervous energy before a pivotal game, and missed easy shot after easy shot. In the first half, their defensive effort was enough to keep the game close. In the second half, to borrow a phrase from Mike D’Antoni, the Rockets let go of the rope.

The Warriors won by 41 points, 126-85. By midway through the third quarter, when Stephen Curry decided to show up in the series, the game felt over. The Rockets cut the deficit to 13, but after a Steve Kerr timeout, the…