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SportsPulse: We have a series ourselves now. USA TODAY Sports, Martin Rogers, unveils the Rockets victory over the Warriors in Game 3 and what it means for the series.
UNITED STATES TODAY & # 39; HUI
HOUSTON – Austin Rivers and P.J. Tucker, two more and more influential Houston Rockets machines, explained their team's plan after reducing their series deficit against the Golden State Warriors to 2-1 on Saturday night.
Their mission: to transform this captivating semi-final of the Western Conference into a basketball war.
Rivers did not punch the field in the overtime win and was just as direct when he spoke after. He wants his colleagues to correspond to each of what they consider to be questionable physical tricks of warriors, and to do so with even more assertiveness and venom.
"Just (physical) because that's what they do," said Rivers, questioned about the value of an ultra-intense approach. "(The warriors) push, they shoot, if you do not look, they will literally push you right in front of the referee, and then get an open three.
"They are a very aggressive team. I thought we were aggressive (in match 3) and the (referees) are not going to call them all. You must be aggressive in the playoffs. "
The Austin Rivers rocket guard celebrates after scoring a basket of three points in the fourth quarter against the Warriors in Game 3 of their second-round series. (Photo: Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)
The details of the new mentality of the Rivers team were confirmed by Tucker, who continued his rivals Warriors during the competition for rebounds (scoring 12) throughout the win 126-121 on Saturday.
Tucker has been seen many times extolling the merits of his teammates on the field and he thinks the two defending champions can be defeated if Houston pulls the bulls.
"We have to fight," Tucker said. "To beat them, you have to fight until the last second. Fight for each possession, fight for each ball 50-50 the whole match.
"We had to play harder than that. We won but it is not enough. Be more aggressive. Get closer to Steph Curry when he dribbles, get in (Kevin Durant) when he dribbles, hit people at box office outings. That's basketball, not rocket science. "
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Up to now, all three games have been played but match 3 was the most physical of the lot, despite the fact that the previous match saw James Harden leave with a bloody eye and blurred vision after being raked by Draymond Green. Tucker himself has his eyelids split, but he does not remember the game he played, and he erased it as if nothing had happened. Compared to Harden's scarlet eyeball – scary enough to make you want to keep your kids close – maybe that's not the case.
At first, the focus was on arbitration, but no such complaint has been filed recently. The series has turned into a survivor of the fittest. Houston takes the challenge and the Warriors know they need to react.
"Just be ready for another battle," said Andre Iguodala, questioned about his state of mind for the Monday's 4th game match. "The (physical) was expected, they reacted well and took advantage of a few things, they will continue to have this and will try to come out with a good punch on Monday."
Houston looked like a toast on his return to Texas with a two-game deficit and could easily have been in a 3-0 hole. Instead, they have everything to play, and a clear state of mind about how they will do it.
"We are in a good mood but no one was celebrating," added Rivers. "When we came back to the locker room, we were silent. We play the best team in the league and we try to be the best team in the league. To do this, the attention must be great. Every game is going to be a dog fight. "
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