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2016 NBA Playoffs: Warriors win Game 2 without Stephen Curry, Mavericks upset Thunder to level series

Even without Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors win comfortably in Game 2 against the Houston Rockets.

[1] Golden State Warriors 115-106 [8] Houston Rockets [Golden State leads series 2-0]

With his right ankle still giving him problems, reigning MVP Stephen Curry was ruled out of Game 2 against the Houston Rockets. That, however, didn’t hinder the defending champions as they went about their business with ease in Game 2. The Warriors won comfortably at home led by Klay Thompson’s game-high 34 points and 5 assists.

Shaun Livingston, who started in place of Curry, finished with 16 points and 6 assists on 7 of 9 shooting. Draymond Green filled the stat sheet as well with his 12 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists. Another one who had a great game was reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Andre Iguodala who came off the bench to help himself to a big game with 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals on 7 of 10 shooting. 

The win was huge for Golden State not only from a series point of view but also to do it without their best player on the floor speaks volumes to how deep this team is. Beating the Rockets while Curry faces ankle problems helps as the Warriors have had the Rockets’ number since the start of last season:

For Houston, James Harden led the way with 28 points and 11 assists but the team failed to gain any rhythm, facing foul trouble all through the game. Five of their key rotations players (Harden, Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, Corey Brewer and Patrick Beverley) finished the game with four fouls or more. Howard was fouled out after playing 35 minutes.

The Rockets’ 19 turnovers and a rough shooting night for their key players didn’t help either. Whilst Harden shot 7 of 19, Donatas Motiejunas and Trevor Ariza both shot 3 of 10 from the field. 

Game 3 will by played at the Toyota Center in Houston on Thursday.

[3] Oklahoma City Thunder 84-85 [6] Dallas Mavericks [Series tied 1-1]

In Game 1 of this series, the Thunder flexed their muscles and embarrassed the Mavericks, handing them a 38 point drubbing. Many expected the Mavericks to step it up and compete but nobody predicted or could foresee Dallas stealing home court advantage from OKC with a win in Game 2.

However, that’s exactly what the Mavericks did. They slowed the pace of the game down, played much better defense and executed far better on offense to eventually help themselves to the win. Meanwhile for the Thunder, fourth quarter demons came back to haunt them. Durant and co failed to close out the game even after leading by 3 heading going into the final period, and extending that lead to 7 with six and a half minutes go.

After monstrous games in the first encounter, superstars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant put up decently good numbers but were far from efficient. The duo combined for 11 of the team’s 15 turnovers and shot a combined 11 of 55 shots (27.3%). To make matters worse, nobody stepped in light of their superstars having a rough night as only Serge Ibaka finished in double figures.

Durant’s 26 missed shots ties him with Michael Jordan for most missed shots in a Playoff game. Meanwhile for Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 17 points but it was third string point guard Raymond Felton who starred for the team. With J.J. Barea out and Deron Williams playing limited minutes due to a sports hernia, Felton played a team-high 42 minutes scoring 21 points, grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with 3 dimes.

Game 3 will be played in the American Airlines center at Dallas on Thursday.

[2] Toronto Raptors 98-87 [7] Indiana Pacers [Series tied 1-1]

After a disappointing Game 1 loss at home, the heavily favoured Raptors bounced back with a convincing win on Monday night. Of all the player match-ups, Toronto has a huge advantage at the center position with Jonas Valanciunas going up against Ian Mahinmi.

In Game 1 Valanciunas’ impact on the game was limited due to the foul trouble he was facing, however, that was not the case in Game 2. His teammates set him up early as the Lithuanian finished the game with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks.

The team’s All-Star back court duo didn’t completely bounce back from their disastrous Game 1 but made a positive effort to help the team when and where they could. Kyle Lowry had an all round game with his 18 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Off the bench, Corey Joseph (16 points) and Patrick Patterson (14 points) were a huge help.

For the Pacers, Paul George did his bit; scoring 28 points but no other player on the team except Monta Ellis (15 points) stepped up.

Game 3 will be played at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indiana on Thursday night.

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