Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr hailed Steph Curry after they registered a 104-93 win against the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of the first round series. The Dubs were without the services of Jimmy Butler while playing at the Chase Center.
However, Curry took the onus on his shoulders as he scored 25 of his 36 points over the second and third quarters. Curry hit 9 of 13 shots in those two frames to help Golden State go into the fourth down just 71-69.
“He’s Steph Curry,” Kerr said. “He’s one [of the] greatest players of all time. He’s 37. He’s one of the most well-conditioned athletes I’ve ever seen in my life. To play 41 minutes against that kind of defense, to have a slow start and then find his rhythm, which we have seen him do countless times over the years, to hit big shots, to only turn it over twice against that kind of pressure, he was brilliant.”
Buddy Hield hit five 3s and scored 17 points, and provided his support to Curry. Furthermore, Gary Payton scored 16 points while coming off the bench.
“We prepared as if he (Butler) was going to play,” Houston point guard Fred VanVleet said of Butler. “We were ready to go. You can’t play that game of who is playing, who is not playing. Every chance you don’t win a game you feel like you could win is a missed opportunity. Obviously, Jimmy adds another layer to that because they are a different team without him.
“But Gary Payton stepped up tonight. Both the guys off the bench played key minutes. … We knew they were going to respond with a guy out as any good team would. There’s no scrubs in the playoffs right now.”
Curry was delighted to contribute to the team’s win and said he would look to carry the good form.
“I just know that I need to play at a high level for us to win,” Curry said. “And so does he and so does Draymond and so does everybody. Whatever you want to call me, I’ll embrace it, and hopefully it keeps happening.”
The fourth game of the series will be played on Monday.
