After scoring 17 points or less in the series’ first three games, VanVleet has kicked things up a notch at the right time. He’s scored 25 or more in three straight, shooting over 50 percent from the field in each outing. Due to VanVleet’s performance on Friday, the Rockets will host a Game 7 on Sunday. While he hasn’t been the most consistent shooter, VanVleet has a history of stepping up in big moments. With his team trailing three games to one, the veteran point guard made good on that reputation in Games 5 and 6.

After scoring 25 points with eight triples on Monday, VanVleet picked up right where he left off and scored 14 points in the first quarter on Wednesday. He didn’t end up contributing much else over the final three quarters, but the damage had already been done. VanVleet led all scorers in this game to help Houston keep its season alive. He’ll need to carry this hot shooting to Golden State on Friday for Game 6.

VanVleet has struggled to find his shot in this series, but that wasn’t the case on Monday. He scored 24 of his 25 shots from beyond the arc, and he only took one shot inside the three-point line, which was a miss. He had a chance to force overtime, but his drifting triple fell short. VanVleet will look to stay hot as the series shifts back to Houston for Game 5 on Wednesday. If he’s hitting shots like he did in this game, they will have a chance to keep their season alive.

VanVleet led the Rockets in scoring on Saturday. However, as was the case on many occasions during the regular season, the field goal percentage left something to be desired. A 37.8 percent shooter during the regular season, VanVleet is 11-of-40 in this series. Simply put, that is not good enough if the Rockets are to knock off Golden State. Houston will look to even the series with a win in Game 4 on Monday night.