​The dawn of the pivotal Game 3 showdown between the Rockets and Warriors is upon us. With the series tied at one game apiece, tonight's game will serve to shift the momentum one way or another for one of these squads and set the tone for the rest of the series.





The defending world champions will be at home, and it'd be downright deflating to lose two in a row to Houston after stealing Game 1 on the Rockets' floor. However, for the Dubs to stand even a chance of cooling off the Rockets' engines, we're going to need to see a lot more from their baby-faced assassin.





Up to this point in the series, ​Stephen Curry just hasn't been himself.

Stephen Curry not worried about shooting slump coming into Game 3 vs. Rockets https://t.co/9B32jRrodT pic.twitter.com/mEUiAkfolM — #StephGonnaSteph (@SC30_unvrz) May 20, 2018

​​Stephen Curry struggling again in the postseason certainly isn't breaking news. Customarily, he's shown to become a lesser player in past playoffs as he's dealt with leg injuries. Of course, over the last few seasons, we've watched him become arguably the most dangerous offensive player in the league when he's at 100 percent.





But he's not 100 percent right now. And just as we did in 2016, it's time to come to grips with what we should reasonably expect from Steph when the chips are down.

Stephen Curry finished 1-8 on 3-pt FG after going 1-5 in Game 1.



This is the 1st time in his career he's made 1 or fewer 3-pointers in consecutive playoff games — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 17, 2018

This year, he's been dealing with injuries to his knee and ankle, which appears to be impacting his shooting. Having had plenty of time off now, it's time for Curry to reassert himself in this series and show that he can get that playoff monkey off his back.





Point blank, the Warriors are going to need him for sure in order to edge out this win at home ​and take back control of this series.