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The Golden State Warriors will be aiming for a sweep of their first-round Western Conference NBA Playoffs series against the Houston Rockets. Join The Roar for live scores of Game 1 from 5:30am (AEST).
The Warriors are coming off the massive high that was the last day of the season, as they broke the record for best ever season in the NBA. They ended up with 73 wins and just nine losses from their 82 games, breaking the record set in 1996 by the Chicago Bulls.
For all the world it looked like they were going to miss out on the record after a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves saw them reduced to a position of needing four wins straight. However, they beat the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs two times each with one of those against each team on the road to wrap up the record.
Stephen Curry brought up his 400th three-point shot for the season and they were incredibly dominant in their final game of the regular season.
Houston on the other hand will be feeling the heat here. Their qualification for the playoffs went right down to the last day of the season. Equal with the Utah Jazz on record, but ahead of them due to the NBA’s back-up seed deciders a win on the last day would get them through and that is exactly what they did defeating the Sacramento Kings by 35.
The Rockets had stretches littered throughout their season where it almost seemed like they had forgotten how to win, but got it together in time to qualify for the post-season.
The Warriors won every game of the season series, and barely looked challenged by Houston. Only the second game, played in Houston, was close – the Rockets lost by three.
Stephen Curry, as he has done against most teams, has had an easy time of it playing Houston, putting up big points in all of the victories. On the other side of the spectrum James Harden is the key man. He has averaged 29 points per game throughout the regular season, and will be likely matched up with Curry in this match.
Harden can take a small edge from his enviable defensive game, while Curry knows he has plenty of back up on the offensive end. Klay Thompson for starters, and then the likes of Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut to chip in and keep things moving if he goes quiet.
Prediction
The Warriors have only lost one game at home all season, and that doesn’t look likely to change in Game 1.
Warriors by 22.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of the clash from 5:30am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below if you’re following along.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde