And so they meet again.
The Warriors and Rockets, once again. Just as we all predicted. Just as it was always supposed to be.
And while this clash of the titans is only a second-round showdown this time, heading into Game 1 Sunday afternoon, it still feels as if everything is on the line in this series.
After failing to close the deal after going up 3-2 in last year's Western Conference Finals, the Rockets doubled down on what made them great. They come into this series unified. They know who they are, what they can (and, of equal importance, what they cannot) do, and they like their chances to do it. Even more importantly, they come in healthy.
Make no mistake about it, these Rockets can absolutely beat the Warriors, straight-up, in a seven-game series. They won't need the same kind of help the Warriors gave the Clippers in the first round.
And for Warriors? Well, the only thing on the line in this series is their dynasty.
And truth be told, they enter this series carrying as many questions as they have answers.
Here are those questions:
