The Golden State Warriors look like a team that can’t be beaten, at least not over a seven-game series. Here are three takeaways from Game 1 of the Western Conference finals:

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Stopping Curry off the ball

The greatness of Stephen Curry isn’t limited to the times when he has the ball in his hands. He’s actually one of the best players at getting open off the ball and making you pay, which is exactly what he did to Houston in Game 1.

The Rockets chose to switch often when Curry would receive an on-ball screen, leaving bigger defenders like Josh Smith and Dwight Howard on the perimeter.

That wasn’t what hurt the Rockets, however. Curry killed Houston by creating separation off the ball through screens and in transition.  The MVP had 13 uncontested shots, seven of which were 3-pointers. 

While they were switching on-ball, the Rockets didn’t switch – or switch well – against Curry off the ball as his defenders often got stuck on screens. That left too many open looks for a dead-eye shooter who doesn’t need more help hitting shots.

Howard’s presence a must

It’s unclear if Dwight Howard will be available for Game 2 or how effective he’ll be after suffering a knee injury early in Game 1, but Houston desperately need him.

Even if Howard isn’t scoring at the same clip he was in the first two rounds of the playoffs, his defence in the paint is key.

In Game 1, the Warriors converted 2-of-6 field goals at the rim (33 per cent) against Howard and 14-of-32 against everyone else (44 per cent), according to SportsVU tracking.

Offensively, Howard has to do a better job taking advantage of his size mismatch against Draymond Green when Golden State go small.

You can’t let the Warriors gain an advantage on the other end of the floor while not suffering some sort of drop-off on defence. Howard’s health will obviously dictate how much he can do, but the Rockets have no chance without his contributions.

Poking the MVP bear

Before Game 1, Houston sent out, of all players, Nick Johnson as the sacrificial lamb to meet Curry for the captain’s meeting.

Curry didn’t look too happy with the move, likely expecting Howard or James Harden instead, shaking his head in disgust after.

This might sound outlandish, but it doesn’t seem that smart to perceivably disrespect the MVP before the biggest series of the season.