Golden State Warriors’ veteran Draymond Green shared his thoughts on the team’s 95-85 Game 1 victory over the Houston Rockets. The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry’s 31 points, fought off a late Rockets surge to claim a crucial road win in their first-round playoff series.
Despite building a 23-point lead in the third quarter, the Warriors saw Houston trim the gap to just four late in the game. Green acknowledged the Rockets’ resilience but emphasized how crucial Jimmy Butler’s presence was. Butler, who joined the Warriors midseason after a trade with the Miami Heat, provided a calming influence on both ends of the court. His all-around performance, with 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals, was instrumental in Golden State’s success.
“Jimmy’s just a huge calming force for us. He gets us to our spots and gives us a good look,” Green said. “Even that last shot he hit over Sengun, that’s exactly what we want.”
Green also credited the Warriors’ defense for holding the Rockets to just 85 points, despite Houston’s dominant rebounding performance. The Rockets grabbed 22 offensive rebounds, but the Warriors’ defense was up to the challenge, forcing Houston into tough shots and limiting second-chance opportunities.
“I thought we did a decent job in the first half, but in the second half, it got a bit out of control,” Green explained. “We just need to make sure we’re better at closing out those opportunities.”
The win was especially significant as it came on the road, and Green emphasized that playoff victories, regardless of the style of play, are never easy to come by. “It’s very satisfying to win any road game, but especially a playoff win. We can play a lot better, and that’s the encouraging part.”
Golden State’s defense was key in containing Houston’s offensive threats, notably Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green, who combined for a poor shooting performance. VanVleet and Green shot just 7-for-34, including 2-for-17 from three-point range, which allowed the Warriors to keep control of the game.
Looking ahead to Game 2, Green noted the importance of continuing to improve, particularly in securing rebounds and maintaining defensive intensity. The Warriors’ ability to adapt and lock down defensively will be essential as they aim to take a 2-0 series lead in Houston.
As Green put it, “Playoffs don’t matter how it looks. You just have to find a way to win, and we did that with our defense.”
