It’s winner takes all with a spot in the NBA Finals on the line as the Houston Rockets host the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 11am (AEST).
All the talk in the lead up to the final game of the series surrounds injury news, with Houston superstar Chris Paul ruled out of Game 7 after sitting out Game 6.
The point guard picked up a hamstring strain at the end of Game 5, missing the final 40 seconds. He then wasn’t able to suit up for Game 6 and it’s been confirmed in the lead-up to tip-off by coach Mike D’Antoni that he will also miss the last match of the series.
Golden State aren’t completely injury-free either, with versatile swingman Andre Iguodala set to miss the final game of the series. He has been out for the last three and while it seemed to affect the Warriors during Games 4 and 5 of the series, they felt no ill-effects of his absence during Game 6.
After being blown off the court during the first quarter, Steve Kerr’s men turned a 17-point deficit into an enormous win on their home floor to keep the series alive.
The Warriors turned things around with a 93-47 run across the final three quarters as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson all stepped up when the pressure was on. Thompson was the key man with 35 points, but it was a complete team effort as Houston’s offence went into self-destruct mode.
While James Harden had 32 points, he also came up with a staggering nine turnovers. By the end of the game, Houston had given the ball away 21 times, and it’s something they will need to cut out in Game 7 if they are going to get close against the Warriors.
Curry and co. will have their earlier series losses in the back of the mind though, with a need to be consistent from start to finish. They have, at times, struggled to get past the Houston defence, and there is no reason that again won’t happen in Game 7.
Prediction
The Warriors take all the momentum into the final game of the series. A lot hinges on whether Chris Paul is fit, but even then, the Rockets are going to find it hard to stop this Golden State juggernaut.
Warriors by 5.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this crucial Game 7 from 11am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Preview written by Scott Pryde.
Wayne Turner
Guest
EPISODE IV: A NEW HOOP.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Injuries suck that is for sure, the Rockets needed him on the court simply for that cool head late in the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Thank you all for joining me today. Again the Golden State Warriors are through to the NBA Finals beating the Houston Rockets 101-92. Golden State will now have 2 days break before hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 1 of the NBA Finals.
astro
Guest
Have to feel for Chris Paul. This felt like his best shot at a championship, and he has to watch it from the sidelines. He's a free agent now, and while the Rox will likely re-sign him, its questionable whether they'll be able to keep the rest of this team together. Major missed opportunity...
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Game over the Golden State Warriors are the 2018 Western Conference champs, cruising in the end to a 9 point win 101-92. The Rockets had all the chances in the first half to give them a double digit lead but for the 2nd game in a row the Warriors caught fire in the 3rd and propelled them to a win. We now wait a few days before the Finals series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors match up for the 4th straight year.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
KD scores 2 free throws to put the Warriors up 9.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
30 seconds left and the Warriors call a time out up 7. Live by the three die by the three is said a lot about a number of teams in this era but the Rockets truly lived by that creed today .
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
The Warriors are just milking the clock now, up 9 with 1:20 remaining.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Like Boston yesterday the Rockets had a chance to knock out the defending conference champions but it appears to have fallen short. Warriors 97 Houston 87
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Made shot from Klay is ruled a 3 until a review. Houston 83 GSW 93. just under 4 minutes remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Gordon again. Houston 83 GSW 91.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Gordon is doing his best to keep the Rockets in this with drives to the glass. He has 21 points and it is back to 8 points again. Houston 81 GSW 89. 5:20 remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
after 27 misses the Rockets finally hit a 3. Houston 79 GSW 89. 6 minutes left in the game.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
24 straight missed 3 point attempts from the Rockets. As i type this KD nails a long 3 with the defense all over him. Houston 75 GSW 86
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
The fouls on Klay could end up being a blessing in disguise for the Warriors as it has given them an almost completely fresh starter in the final quarter to use.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Turnover from the Rockets ends with a Klay Thompson 3. Houston 73 GSW 83.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Final quarter underway, this is it for one team it is a trip to the finals for the other it is fishing season. Who will win? Warriors start the q with a basket Harden answers back. Houston 71 GSW 78
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Warriors catch fire in the 3rd quarter and take a 7 point lead into the final quarter. 33-15 point quarter to the Warriors.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
9 point lead to the Warriors now, how quickly things change. Rockets 65 Warriors 74.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Curry firing up in the third while the Rockets are still taking and missing a high rate of threes. 6 point lead to the Warriors now. Houston 63 GSW 69.