Gameday: Warriors look to avoid trip back to Houston

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OAKLAND – The Warriors certainly don’t want to go back to Houston, and there is reason to wonder if the Rockets really want a Game 6 in Texas.

So with Game 5 at Oracle Arena Wednesday night, the Warriors, holding a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, will do everything in their power to close things out.

Much is in their favor, one thing being that they have outscored the Rockets, 436-375, over the first four games.

The Warriors, who have won 78 of their last 82 games at home, are playing not only to win but also to prove they can succeed despite the temporary absence of Steph Curry, the reigning MVP, who is expected to be out until at least the week of May 9.

Houston enters Game 5 amid skepticism about its collective determination, which came into question after the subdued response on the bench after James Harden’s game-winning shot in Game 3.

BETTING LINE:
Warriors by 9.5

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
Klay Thompson vs. James Harden: Harden, who made the decisive shot in Game 3, is Houston’s greatest hope to prolong this series. He’ll have to be great, but even that won’t matter if Thompson is on his game at both ends. He doesn’t have to outscore The Beard, but he has to do enough to neutralize him.

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Shaun Livingston vs. Patrick Beverley: Though Beverley relishes playing against Curry, his old AAU teammate, Livingston poses an entirely different challenge. For one, he’s four inches taller than Curry and six inches taller than Beverley. Livingston typically makes snack food out of shorter defenders.

INJURY REPORT:
Warriors: G Stephen Curry (R MCL sprain) and F Kevon Looney (L hip surgery) are listed as out.

Rockets: F Sam Dekker (low back soreness) is listed as out.

SERIES HISTORY:
The Warriors own 3-1 in this series and have won seven of the last nine postseason meetings. The Warriors have won the last eight regular-season meetings.

QUOTABLE:
“This is a team that you don’t want to give confidence to. If you look at the first half (of Game 4) they came out confident off that Game 3 win. They are tough to handle when they are that confident. This is a team that you’ve got to come out and you’ve got to try to punch them in the mouth right away. If you do, you have a much better chance of beating them.” – Draymond Green, on the Warriors’ mentality as they proceed without Curry

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