Game Preview: Rockets v Warriors

The Houston Rockets will host the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the Western
Conference Finals at Oracle Arena on Monday. Houston (3-3) had the 3-2 edge
heading into Game 6, but was without a key piece in All-Star Chris Paul
(hamstring). The veteran suffered his hamstring injury in the closing minute of
Game 5, and his status remains uncertain ahead of the series finale. Without
Paul, Game 6 was a brutal affair for the Rockets on the road. Despite taking an
early 17-point lead, the Rockets’ offense quickly became stagnant. The team
scored only 25 points in the second half, allowing the Warriors to turn a
10-point halftime deficit into an incredible 29-point blowout victory. A major
part of the Rockets’ issues offensively came from turnovers, which the team had
21 of on Saturday. James Harden was responsible for nine of those, an issue he
will look to remedy on his home court as he seeks his second career finals
appearance. Golden State (3-3), meanwhile, survived an early scare in Game 6,
bouncing back with a signature third quarter explosion. Despite veteran Andre
Iguodala (leg) missing the last three contests, the Warriors have managed to
stay alive in the series, preserving their chances of a fourth consecutive
finals appearance. Klay Thompson helped ignite his team’s comeback on Saturday,
finishing the game with 35 points on 13-of-23 shooting. Fellow two-time champ
Steph Curry also delivered a big game, going for 29 points and five made
three-pointers in the win. The Warriors have not faced a Game 7 since 2016, when
they were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. Golden State
will hope for an easier time in this elimination game, as they visit Houston for
the fourth time in the series.