Butler led the Dubs with 27 points, 5 rebouds, and 6 assists as they took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Image Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
The Warriors edged out the Rockets in a thrilling, physically intense game on Monday night. Returning from a one-game injury absence, Jimmy Butler played the hero with a monster stat line and several clutch plays.
The former Chicago Bull star recorded 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, and a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line — all while clearly dealing with visible pain in his lower back. Butler dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 14 of Golden State’s 27 points in the period to help his team pull away and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
Speaking after the game, Butler was all smiles as he praised the joy of playing alongside Stephen Curry and the rest of the Warriors.
“I’d die for these guys. It’s so much fun! They brought the joy of playing back to me. And more than anything, winning feels so damn good.”
Reflecting on the tough win against a gritty Rockets team, the Warriors’ No. 10 remained clear-headed about what sets his team apart.
“We’ve done this all year! (winning) I always say we’ve got the most confident players out there. Anyone on this team can score. But more importantly, we do the work on defense. And when we limit our turnovers, we’re tough to beat.”
Laser-focused on winning and clearly pleased to have taken down Houston again, the six-time NBA All-Star opened up about his impressive fourth-quarter performance.
“I just told myself it was time to win. That the team needed me to step up in certain ways to get it done. That’s how it works. I moved more, felt a little better, and gained more confidence.”
When the reporter pointed out that he took some time to get going in the game, Butler revealed what finally lit the spark.
“Someone said something to me. And that’s all it takes to flip the switch. Someone came at me — and that was it.”
When asked if it was Dillon Brooks, who exchanged words with him during the second quarter, the 2015 Most Improved Player nodded and elaborated.
“Yeah. We love when guys try to get in our heads. It’s been like that since the beginning of the series, and I don’t think it’s going to change. So we’re just going to keep fighting and using that to make a difference.”
With this second straight win at home, the Warriors now have a firm grip on the series at 3-1. Still, the battle isn’t over yet — and Steve Kerr’s squad will need to brace for a fierce response from the Rockets on Wednesday in Houston.
Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.
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