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The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets finally gave us the playoff game we’ve all been waiting for, but the awesome showdown was slighted by a very odd final 10 seconds of regulation. The Rockets won, 95-92, but that outcome could've been different had a few things gone differently. Here’s what happened:
No timeout, coach?
The Warriors had the ball on the final possession of Game 4 against the Rockets with a chance to even the game at 94 apiece or take a lead with a three. But instead of calling a timeout with just over 10 seconds remaining on the clock, the Warriors opted to take their chances with a live ball and a Houston defense on its heels.
It wasn’t the best decision. Kevin Durant pushed the ball then gave it to Klay Thompson, who was smothered in the corner. Thompson, Durant, Steve Kerr, and every other Warriors player on the floor still had enough time to call a meaningful timeout. Instead, this happened:
KLAY WTF WAS THAT? pic.twitter.com/FmLfd51GJx
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 23, 2018
That uncalled timeout was the end of Golden State in Game 4. Thompson got up an awful shot attempt, and Chris Paul recovered the ball and was eventually fouled and sent to the line.
CP3, WYD?
Paul missed the first free throw, and with 0.5 seconds left the thought was he’d intentionally miss the second to run the clock and seal the game. But he made the second, giving the Warriors a dead ball and a chance to use the timeout they had left over.
One last shot
Kerr drew up a play that resulted in an open look for Stephen Curry in the corner. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t fall.
omg steph curry got a great look... and missed game 5 series tied 2 - 2! pic.twitter.com/B1FDwTwi7w
— isaac (@NOTISAACCAMPOS) May 23, 2018
That was an ugly ending for the Warriors
Golden State has so many options on the floor, so it’s understandable to think they could just push the ball in a high-pressure situation and get an open look. But when Durant’s drive up the court broke down, he gave the ball to Thompson, who isn’t the best shot-creator in the world. Kerr had a number of opportunities to call a timeout on that possession. He didn’t. Now it’s all tied, 2-2, with the series heading back to Houston for Game 5.