The Rockets have levelled the series against the Golden State Warriors, with the deciding Game 7 taking place in Houston on Sunday.
Fred VanVleet says he does not get “too carried away” in the playoffs, noting a “steady mind” helped push the Houston Rockets to the Game 6 win.
The Rockets kept their season alive by beating the Golden State Warriors 115-107 to force a deciding Game 7 in their first-round playoff series on Friday.
VanVleet had 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, while Alperen Sengun contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds to level the series at 3-3.
VanVleet has put together three consecutive games with 25 or more points for the first time in his postseason career, while he has also connected on 18 3-pointers over his past three outings, the most in a three-game span in Rockets postseason history.
“Now, as I get a little older, [I’ve been] able to play in enough of these games to realize that a calm, steady mind is the best path forward,” VanVleet said.
“Not getting too high or too low, not getting too carried away, trusting the work, your team-mates, and things usually work out in the big picture.
“You work all year and train all summer for these moments, and I’ve always prided myself on trying to rise to the occasion.
“I’ve taken a different role for this team over the last two years, and just trying to squeeze as much juice out of this group as possible. I’m ready and willing when the time comes to step up and make big plays.”
With a Game 7 win on Sunday, the Rockets could become the first team to win three straight games after trailing the Warriors 3-1 in a playoff series since LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers did it to win the title in 2016.
Steph Curry scored 29 points but shot 9-of-23, going 6-for-16 from deep. Jimmy Butler added 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
However, Golden State struggled as they missed 13 straight shots between Draymond Green’s basket with 10:12 left and a 3-pointer by Curry at the 3:35 mark.
This game marks the second time the Warriors have failed to close out the series, but Butler remains confident they can do so on their third attempt.
“So we’re going to win together, we’re going to lose together,” Butler said. “I know we’re definitely going to win together come Sunday.
“We’re good. We’re smiling. We’re listening to our music, celebrating life. We’re ready to compete.
“We were ready to compete [on Friday]. Things didn’t go our way. OK, we’re going to be ready to compete on Sunday. We’re going to make the game go our way.
“[Confidence is at an] all-time high. Now, out of all times, it’s win or go home. It’s not wavering.
“We know how good of a team we are. A couple of us have been here before multiple times. It’s on us to make sure we get it done.”
Game 7 will take place in Houston on Sunday, with the Minnesota Timberwolves awaiting the winner in the Western Conference semifinals.
