Having kept their season alive with a 131-116 triumph last time out, the Houston Rockets will be looking to restore parity in their playoff first-round duel against the Golden State Warriors in Saturday's meeting at Chase Center.
Meanwhile, the home side will set out this weekend in search of a series-clinching win on home court to book their place in the Western Conference semi-finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Match preview
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After a 1-1 record across the opening two matchups in Houston, the Warriors took care of business in front of their fans, winning both games to move 3-1 up and within one victory of completing the job ahead of Thursday's trip to Toyota Center.
Going up against a team who were in the last-chance saloon, Steve Kerr's men could not match their opponents for intensity and were outscored 71-49 in the opening half, leading Kerr to more or less throw in the towel midway through the third quarter when he brought on his second unit in place of all the starters.
Led by Moses Moody's 25-point salvo, the Warriors threatened a late comeback in the final 12 minutes, cutting a 31-point deficit to 13, but they were ultimately unable to reel in their opponents, who ended the game on a 17-15 run.
As they take to the court hoping to close things out at the second time of asking, the Warriors are in somewhat of a familiar territory, having once suffered the agony of throwing away a 3-1 series lead in the past against the Cleveland Cavaliers nine years ago.
With the importance of adequate rest during this period not lost on them, Saturday's hosts will be keen to wrap things up here and avoid a winner-takes-all Game Seven on Monday back in Houston.
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The Houston Rockets had little to show but a valiant effort in Game Four but knew it was win or bust heading into Thursday's Game Five, where they rose to the occasion to live to fight another day in the playoffs.
Ime Udoka's men were dominant for almost the entire 48 minutes of action, during which they trailed for just 102 seconds despite attempting 25 fewer shot attempts than their opponents' 103 on the night.
Picking up where he left off on Tuesday, Fred VanVleet turned on the style once again with a 26-point display on 8-13 shooting from the field, while rising star Amen Thompson delivered arguably his biggest playoff performance with 25 points.
After averaging just over 11 points per game across the opening three matches of the series, VanVleet has more than doubled his output in the last two games, averaging 25.5 PPG, and will need another big performance here.
Losing the rebounding battle for the first time all series long in Game Five, Saturday's visitors will need to up the ante on the glass to boost their chances of levelling matters at the sound of the final buzzer this weekend.
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Team News
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After getting the nod to start in Game Three, Jonathan Kuminga has missed each of the last two matches through illness and remains a huge doubt for Saturday's game.
Tallying just 13 points last time out, three-point king Stephen Curry will be aiming to bounce back with much of his side's chances of success resting on his shoulders.
Twenty-three-year-old Jalen Green shrugged off a knee injury scare in the second half of Game Five and will be expected to suit up for the Houston Rockets once again.
Houston Rockets' Jae'Sean Tate is not unavailable for the Rockets due to an ankle issue, but the forward is drawing increasingly closer to a comeback.
Australia international Jock Landale has recently returned to the hardwood from a knee problem, although it is unclear how much of a role he would be given here.
Golden State Warriors possible starting five:
Curry, Podziemski; Moody, Green; Post
Houston Rockets possible starting five:
VanVleet, Green; Brooks, Thompson; Sengun
We say: Warriors to win by 8+ points
A lacklustre display from the Warriors was duly punished by a roaring Rockets outfit last time out, and Kerr's men will know they need to be in full gear for this one.
We are backing the home side to get the job done come the end of the proceedings here.
Adepoju Marvellous
