Defending champions Golden State Warriors had their backs against the wall in the first round of the playoffs after losing the opening two matches against Sacramento Kings. The third game of the series was almost a do-or-die contest for them and they were also without the services of Draymond Green, who was ejected for a flagrant foul.

And the Dubs responded as they always do. Stephen Curry’s team defeated the Kings 114-97 on Thursday night to make 2-1 in the series. The team’s head coach Steve Kerr’s message to his players was plain and simple, “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

Curry led the charge as the talisman scored 36 points whereas Kevon Looney had 20 rebounds to go with nine assists.

“We’re a team with a lot of pride, we know how to respond when our back’s against the wall, we always usually show up,” Looney said as quoted by AP (ESPN). “I think Draymond knew that. Without him playing he knew how we were going to respond. He knew he could count on us to hold down the fort while he was out. We’re excited to get him back next game.”

“Sometimes as a rebounder, you can get in a zone just how Steph and them 3-point shooters get in a zone,” Looney said.

On the other hand, Sacramento Kings’ Harrison Barnes, who scored 17 points admitted that GSW was not going to give up after trailing by 2-0.

“You have to understand that these guys aren’t going to lay down,” Barnes said. “They have a lot of pride. They’ve won a championship. ”

Curry was delighted as he told TNT afterward: “They say Draymond’s got a history, so do we.”

“I like the momentum that we created tonight, we just got to take advantage of it,” Curry said.

The fourth game of the series will be played on Sunday night.