UPDATE (4:30pm PT on Thursday): Andre Iguodala will not play in Game 5, Steve Kerr announced about 90 minutes before tip-off.
"Just day to day. He has gotten better each day. He's dying to play," Kerr said.
Klay Thompson will play, Kerr announced.
***
HOUSTON -- Stung by a bitter home loss in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors will try to rebound in Game 5 against the Rockets on Thursday night at Toyota Center.
Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4:30 p.m., with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. Postgame coverage will follow immediately after the final horn.
Sports
After gaining homecourt advantage with a victory in Game 1, the Warriors gave it back by blowing a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter of Game 4 on Tuesday at Oracle Arena.
Though Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala are listed as questionable, Thompson almost certainly will play and Iguodala is expected to be a game-time decision.
BETTING LINE
Even
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Stephen Curry vs. Chris Paul: With the exception of Game 3, when he was bothered by foot soreness, Paul has been a factor in every game. It's apparent that he is comfortable leading the Rockets in the clutch. The same could be said of Curry with the Warriors, though he got out of sorts late in Game 4. Paul was slightly better in Game 4, and it was enough to make the difference. If Curry can reverses that, if gives the Warriors a crucial advantage.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: F Andre Iguodala (L lateral leg contusion) and G Klay Thompson (L knee strain) are listed as questionable. G Pat McCaw (lumbar spine contustion) is listed as out.
Rockets: No injuries listed.
GAME OFFCIALS
James Capers (crew chief), Eric Lewis, Zach Zarba, Bill Spooner (alternate)
THE TALLY
Game 1: Warriors 119, Rockets 106 at Houston Game 2: Rockets 127, Warriors 105 at Houston Game 3: Warriors 126, Rockets 85 at Oakland Game 4: Rockets 95, Warriors 92 at Oakland
ROAD TO THE CONFERENCE FINALS
Warriors: Defeated San Antonio in five games in the first round, defeated New Orleans in five games in the conference semifinals.
Rockets: Defeated Minnesota in five games in the first round, defeated Utah in five games in the conference semifinals.
SERIES HISTORY
The teams met three times in the regular season, with Houston posting a 122-121 win on Oct. 17 at Oakland, the Warriors taking a 124-114 victory on Jan. 4 at Houston and the Rockets prevailing, 116-108, on Jan. 20 in Houston. The Warriors have won 12 of the last 15 meetings in the regular season.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
THE LINEUP: Though Thompson is expected to play. Iguodala will be a game-time decision. If he cannot play, the Warriors likely will repeat the lineup from Game 4, with Kevon Looney starting at center. If Jordan Bell, who had some good moments in Game 4, doesn't start he's likely get more significant playing time.
THE OFFENSE: The Warriors went away from their usual schemes in Game 4, relying on isolation more than ball movement. Though it was at times successful, they believe it was costly in the end, citing their 12-point fourth quarter. Regaining their identity has been a point of emphasis since Tuesday.
THE PHYSICALITY: The Rockets are the brawnier team, more willing to mix it up. The Warriors have to respond with sharper movements and more grit. They're on the edge of desperation and realize everything has to be done with more velocity. Don't be surprised to see them flexing more muscle or diving on the floor.
| Game | Result/Schedule |
|---|---|
| Game 1 | Warriors 119, Rockets 106 |
| Game 2 | Rockets 127, Warriors 105 |
| Game 3 | Warriors 126, Rockets 85 |
| Game 4 | Rockets 95, Warriors 92 |
| Game 5 | Houston -- Thursday, May 24th at 6pm |
| Game 6 | Oakland -- Saturday, May 26th at 6pm |
| Game 7 | Houston -- Monday, May 28th at 6pm |
