While the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets battled to overtime in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinal showdown, the game was probably won and lost in the battle for the boards.

Both teams shot better than 40 percent from the 3-point line, and the Warriors made 23 of 29 free-throw attempts, but the Rockets won the rebounding battle 55-35, including a 17-7 advantage on the offensive glass.

After the game, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr noted that there were a few noticeable lapses from his team:

Houston's dominance on the boards was a complete reversal from Game 2, when the Warriors outrebounded the Rockets 52-47 and held an 18-10 advantage in terms of offensive rebounds. Golden State also had the upper hand in both categories in the series opener.

On paper, the Warriors should have the advantage on the glass on a nightly basis. Between Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson, the Warriors have more length and size in crashing the glass. The Rockets, meanwhile, rely mostly on Clint Capela, P.J. Tucker and James Harden to battle down low, with Chris Paul and the backcourt also mixing things up.

Capela only grabbed six rebounds in a disappointing performance in Game 1, but has reached double-figure boards in each of the past two games, including five offensive boards on Saturday night.

The Warriors can ill-afford to have poor performances rebounding the basketball with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson struggling to knock down perimeter shots. If Houston continues to control the paint, they will more than likely take control of the series.