The Houston Rockets have done a good job overall containing Stephen Curry at the 3-point line, but they've failed miserably keeping the two-time MVP from getting to the rim and finishing efficiently, surprisingly being close to automatic in the restricted area.
According to NBA.com's advanced stats via Reddit user Hesi_Pull-up_Jimmer, Curry is shooting a team-high 17-of-21 from the restricted area (81 percent), while his counterpart James Harden is only finishing 68.2 percent of his attempts, despite having an offense tailored to match him up against defensive mismatches.
Curry's ridiculous prowess at the rim is surprising, giving he's not the biggest or the most physically gifted player in the team, but his ability to contort his body in favorable positions makes him a fantastic finisher, able to put the ball in the bucket while defended by players with big wingspans — the likes of Clint Capela and Trevor Ariza.
The Golden State Warriors point man is still shooting a robust 49 percent from the field, and that is largely attributed to his ability to cash in during his opportunities close to the basket. Now averaging a healthy 23 points per game in the series, despite a woeful 28 percent shooting from deep.
Kevin Durant, who has made his living in the mid-range area, is also an ultra-efficient 9-of-11 (81.8 percent) from the restricted area — a finishing rate that proved a major difference in Game 3, as the Rockets consistently blew lay-up opportunities in the early get-go.
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