The Warriors returned home and smacked the Rockets 126-85 in Game 3, a 41-point beatdown that pushed them up 2-1 in these Western Conference Finals. Here are five observations from what was the largest playoff win and worst playoff loss in their respective franchise histories.



1. Hiccup early, defensive strangulation after



The Warriors’ defense was scattered the first few minutes of Game 3. They changed up their pick-and-roll strategy, instructing Steph Curry, at least early, to hedge the screen and then battle to get back to his man, not allowing the easy switch and isolation.



It made sense in theory. Instead of just leaving Curry on a James Harden island, allowing his body to get battered and his defense to get attacked, the Warriors were forcing Harden to give it up and betting that PJ Tucker and Trevor Ariza couldn’t fluidly and regularly make a catch and 4-on-3 decision in traffic, with Curry scampering back behind them.



Three...