Back in January, the Warriors went into Houston for the final time in the regular season. The team’s had split the previous two meetings, with the Warriors beating a James Harden-less Rockets squad in Houston two weeks earlier as revenge for the opening night loss handed to them by the Rockets in Oakland.



The third and final meeting was a sterling performance by Chris Paul. Everybody was healthy; it was clear by then what was at stake. Even though the Warriors were at the end of a long road trip, they had two days off before playing Houston. And Paul was the difference: 33 points on 10-for-20 shooting (6 of 11 from 3) with 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.



It was a glimpse of how formidable the Rockets could be. Paul carried Houston to victory with his trademark fire. His energy and zip were too much for the Warriors defense. He looked as hungry as ever. Paul’s play then was one of the reasons this series was so interesting. But it might have...