Players came ready to brawl in the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets playoff series.
Monday’s Game 4 at Chase Center got real physical, involving stars like Steph Curry, Jalen Green, and, certainly, Draymond Green.
The bad blood between the Rockets and Warriors, with enforcers Dillon Brooks and Draymond Green always ready to stir the pot, cranked the intensity.
Down 2-1 in the series, Houston had their backs against a wall, and Green was happily poking the bear.
In the second quarter, Green received a Flagrant 1 foul after inadvertently kicking Houston’s Tari Eason in the head.
Video replay showed Green forcefully pushing his foot down on Eason’s head as they got tangled.
TNT broadcaster Reggie Miller repeatedly insisted that the refs were overthinking Green’s kick. History shows that the Warriors’ enforcer often creates extra contact during heated playoff games, leading to suspensions in the past. TNT’s Charles Barkley called Draymond’s antics on Monday “stupid.”
“Draymond needs to be careful,” added Inside the NBA’s Shaquille O’Neal, the newly named general manager for Sacramento State hoops.
Moments earlier, Curry, Green, and Rockets enforcer Dillon Brooks were assessed technical fouls after a scuffle erupted when Brooks fouled Curry.
In the first half alone, the Warriors-Rockets face-off burned hotter than Monday’s Cavaliers-Heat matchup, where Miami fell by 55 points.
Game 4’s stakes demanded one last push from Houston …
The Warriors beat down, outplayed the Rockets in the second half, and fell to Golden State in a tight clash, 109-106.
Draymond’s antics were once more saved by his Warriors cast.
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