After a humanizing loss to the Houston Rockets, here’s a look at the five biggest takeaways for the Golden State Warriors from Game 3, including adjustments for Game 4.
The dreams of “Fo’ Fo’ Fo’ Fo'” are officially dead. Coming off a 73-win season, the Golden State Warriors suffered their first loss of the playoffs and just their 10th loss of the 2015-16 campaign Monday night, dropping Game 3 in a 97-96 road contest against the Houston Rockets.
The victory helped Houston stave off a potential four-game sweep, it delayed Golden State’s all but inevitable advancement to the second round and it ultimately amounted to a humanizing loss for the defending champs, who were riding high after soundly beating the Rockets in Game 2 with Stephen Curry (ankle) resting.
No one in the Bay Area should be panicking. While the loss extends the series and gives Houston a chance to tie it up at two games apiece on their home court, the Warriors played a pretty ugly Game 3 and still had their opportunities to come away with the win, even after James Harden‘s eventual game-winner with 2.7 seconds left.
That being said, the Rockets took care of business and made this a series again, despite Marreese Speights‘ team-high 22 points, 16 from Shaun Livingston and 11 off the bench from Ian Clark. Here’s a look at the biggest takeaways from Golden State’s Game 3 debacle, including a few adjustments that should be made for Game 4 on Sunday.
Next: No. 5