The Golden State Warriors had to endure a gruesome test before they vanquished the Rockets’ home-court advantage. In the fourth quarter, the Rockets came within three points of making a near comeback. However, the Bay was well prepared. They didn’t become complacent even after they led by 23 points at one point. The reason behind it was because Stephen Curry and Co. didn’t let it get to their heads.

Imagine being in a packed Toyota Center and having the edge on the home team. The Warriors had every reason to feel supreme at that point. Still, in the playoffs, there is a lingering feeling because of the enormity of having the home advantage. That’s exactly the urgency Houston displayed in the closing moments.

But as Curry revealed, the Warriors’ hefty experience advantage is the reason they didn’t feel “happy” in these circumstances.

“I think the only real advantage is this you don’t get rattled… there’s going to be runs. We were up 20 in the second half. And nobody was really happy on the bench because we understood like it’s a long game. So when they made the run like the composure matters because then you can make plays down the stretch whether it goes your way or not. You kind of rely on that,” The Chef revealed.

The pooled experience that Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green bring to the table eventually played its magic. As the Rockets did look slated to make a comeback, they combined to make some huge plays on both ends of the floor. Stephen Curry hit a chilling triple while Butler and Green contributed immensely in forcing turnovers in the last six minutes.

As it stands right now, although the Bay came through the Play-In, they hold the upper hand in this tie. The home court advantage at the Oracle where they have lost just four of their last 12 since the trade deadline, now assumes control. With the motivation and calmness of this team, the Rockets have a major task in front of them.

Breaking the Warriors’ composure won’t be easy.

A night of get back for Stephen Curry

The last time the Baby Face Assassin came up against the Rockets, their suffocating defense got the better of him. He could only register 3 points on 1 for 10 shooting. That streak continued for his first three shots of the night. But once he missed his threes, Stephen Curry understood the importance of getting some rhythm behind him.

“I knew I was going to score three points for sure, but I think the first three shots I missed and then I understood they were going to really try to take away the three. And I got to the basket three in a row,” Curry told Shaquille O’Neal.

Amen Thompson practically loomed over Stephen Curry for most of the night. If not him, the Rockets’ “athletes” posed a serious challenge for the two-time MVP to unleash his most dangerous weapon. That’s where his patience came into play. Curry continued to score from the inside in his 31-point performance.

It was only a matter of time before the Rockets’ defense would be compelled to loosen up in fear of him driving to the basket. “They play a tough brand of defense. But if you just play smart and allow my endurance to take over, you know, over the course of the game, I think I get freed up and you just got to make shots. I made some tough ones, but I think you got to keep them honest,” he said about his emphatic night.

Likewise, despite his hooting prowess, the three became a last resort for Curry. He made the next five of his six attempts from downtown. Three of those came right at the end of the shot clock out of desperation. It showed that Stephen Curry is far more than just an automatic shooter.

His offensive game has evolved significantly outside of the triple. And that’s the reason, no matter how bad a shooting night, defenses can’t rest whenever he is on the floor. It takes one to bring a flurry. And tonight, Curry proved that proverb to be true once again.