The Golden State Warriors are through to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1975, after defeating the Houston Rockets 104-90 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
It was win or go home for the Rockets heading into this game, down 3-1 in the series, and home they go.
They can hold their heads high after a strong season, and a great finals series, but it was an unfortunate way for the year to end with poor performances all round today.
James Harden in particular had an absolutely shocking game, racking up a playoff record 13 turnovers and shooting just 2-11 from the field.
Harrison Barnes was a real highlight for the Warriors. He finished the game with 24 points, most of which came in the final quarter when the Rockets were within striking distance!
He’s continuing to prove that he’s a big game player and now he will get a chance on the biggest stage of all.
The Golden State Warriors will now face the Cleveland Cavaliers to decide who will be crowned champions of the 2014/15 NBA season.
Final Score:
Warriors 104
Rockets 90
It is all on the line for the Houston Rockets today as they travel to face the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in Oakland. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 11:00am (AEST).
The Rockets must overcome the toughest task in the NBA in order to remain in the running for the title of Western Conference Champions – that task is beating the Golden State Warriors at home.
The Oracle Arena has been a fortress for the Warriors throughout the 2014/15 NBA season, and despite all their class across the floor, the Rockets have yet to be able to secure a win their this season.
After dropping the first two games of this series in California, and then the Game 3 in Houston, the Rockets had the pressure on in Game 4, as the the potential embarrassment of being swept out of the finals looked likely.
But as it played out, the Warriors main man Steph Curry spent a large amount of the game off the court after suffering a head-knock, and even though he returned to the game, was unable to stem the flow of points coming from James Harden as the Rockets ran home 128-116.
The match was the first time since Game 1 that the Rockets broke the 100-point barrier. In Game 3 they managed just 80-points.
The Warriors on the other hand have scored 110 or more in every game, except their narrow 1-point win in Game 2.
For the Rockets to keep the series alive today, they will again need Harden to fire and send home 30-plus points. But it can’t all come from Harden – he needs strong support across the floor.
It is at this stage of the series that the Rockets will draw on the recent memories of a hard come-from-behind series win against the Clippers. They have been on the back foot before, and know they can overcome the odds.
But the Warriors are on another level, so the Rockets response will need to match that.
Can the Rockets complete the impossible and keep their dreams of a Western Conference Championship and a place in the NBA Finals alive?
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11:00am (AEST) as we find out!
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Haha. Lebron's a cyborg though, remember?
Matthew Pittard
Guest
Delly hustles pure and simple. He goes for the ball. Enough with the going for the knees/legs/other BS
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Delly will dive for a ball in Game 1 and take out LeBron's knees. It will all be over after that and Delly will be deported from the US by Obama on request by LeBron & the State of Ohio.
Brian
Guest
Barring injuries the warriors are ridiculous favorites. Because of lebron 4-1 warriors. If Lebron goes nuts 4-2. Either way Cavs ain't winning.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Will, can you remove your comment please? We might be able to take this to the world. It's just essential no one finds out.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
You're on Pybus. You're on! 4-2 Cavs.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
4-0 sweep to the Warriors and it won't even be close.
Ryman White
Editor
Who's excited??
Ryman White
Editor
FULL TIME Warriors 104 Rockets 90 Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors! Champions of the NBA's Western Conference! The first time in 40 years! It wasn't a pretty game, with Curry struggling in the third and Thompson going through foul trouble and a bleeding ear, but the result is the same, a win for the Warriors! The Warriors are 12 and 3 in the post season, to back up their 67 wins in the regular season. They will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals that everyone was hoping would eventuate.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
I saw Andrew Bogut on the street in Sydney once. He's really tall. #breakingnews
Ryman White
Editor
Q4 0' Warriors 101 Rockets 90 Oh no. Turnover number 13 for Harden. Just let the nightmare end. It's frustrating to watch such a great player have such a terrible game to finish what has been such a strong season.
Ryman White
Editor
Q4 0' Warriors 101 Rockets 90 The fans are letting themselves celebrate now. Terry finds some range as we enter the final minute to bring it back to 11 points.
Ryman White
Editor
Q4 1' Warriors 99 Rockets 88 Harden with the AIRBALL! I think that is an appropriate sign that this one is all over.
Ryman White
Editor
Q4 1' Warriors 99 Rockets 88 Rockets just can't by a long range jumper. The people I don't recognise are coming into the game. Clearly the Warriors are concerned...
Ryman White
Editor
Q4 1' Warriors 97 Rockets 88 It's foul time. And more time outs time. We're going to play this one out at a glacial pace... 9 point margin.
Ryman White
Editor
Q4 1' Warriors 97 Rockets 86 Iguodala misses from the stripe and we're heading to a timeout. It's almost party time Warriros fans!
Ryman White
Editor
Q4 1' Warriors 97 Rockets 86 Another miss for the Rockets. They are frustrated - it would be hard to not be with how they have played tonight - but it's gifting the Warriors this game. There's always a chance with 2 minutes to play, but nobody looks like producing anything close to magical for the Rockets at this stage.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Rockets just need to fire threes and hope Howard can find a rebound.
Ryman White
Editor
Q4 2' Warriors 97 Rockets 86 Harden with a nice feed to Ariza for the 2 points. Just 2 minutes to play now.
Ryman White
Editor
Q4 2' Warriors 97 Rockets 84 Under 3 minutes to play here. The Rockets short on another shot as Green pulls down his 10th rebound.