You can read a full report from Game 7 here:
Final thoughts
Well that will do it from us here at the Guardian. Thanks for enjoying tonight’s livelbog of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, especially everybody who contributed. Stay tuned for further coverage of the NBA Finals here in the upcoming days. Ciao!
I guess we’re going to get another “are the Warriors bad for the NBA discussion” after this. I’m convinced that they’re not bad, but the idea that they’re success is inevitable is bad. If they win nearly every year, that’s one thing, but if they look beatable (and, in fact, they do occasionally get beaten) then the playoffs remain interesting. Or let’s let the great Zach Lowe break it down:
No one is shocked. I picked GSW in 6. But the idea that they were simultaneously down 3-2 and 100% invulnerable in this specific series seems weird. https://t.co/B01FetWW71
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) May 29, 2018
This series went seven. They could have been eliminated (and the same goes for LeBron James and the Cavaliers). We got the drama that we wanted, even if the games weren’t necessarily that memorable on an individual basis.
Cold comfort for Rockets fans:
Well at least Ted Cruz is sad
— Nick Wiger (@nickwiger) May 29, 2018
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals will begin on Thursday night. Yes, there’s some fatigue involved here, having the same two teams facing each other in the Finals but ultimately we have the league’s best team vs. the league’s best player. Whoever wins is going to add another chapter to their ridiculous legacies. One has to think that the Warriors are going to be the heavy favorites, but this isn’t an invulnerable team and LeBron James is, well, LeBron James. He can do anything. Let’s hope it also goes seven games.
Let’s not let the Rockets ice-cold long distance shooting distract from what the Warriors just did. They didn’t play their best this series, it was shocking when they went down a game away from elimination, but in two straight games they exploded in the second half and effectively made the outcome pre-determined by the final few minutes. They didn’t play their best, which is why this went seven games (something few predicted heading in) but they’re still one of the best teams in NBA history. We’re privileged to see them play.
What was the story of Game 7? The three pointer. It was the Rockets’ bread-and-butter throughout the season and it faltered for them big time in the biggest game of the year. You have to think if Chris Paul was in one of these last two games, they would have been able to adjust. Would it have been enough to stop the Warriors? Well that’s hard to say.
The Golden State Warriors will be facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year!
Warriors win!
Warriors 101-92 Rockets, FINAL
Gordon tries to get a steal but is called for a foul. We go again, this time the call’s on Capela and this will put Durant on the free throw line where he calmly gets both. And that will do it. The Warriors have won the Western Conference Finals!
Warriors 99-92 Rockets, 29.5, 4th quarter
Unfortunately Houston’s metaphorical shot ends up being a very real missed three-pointer. Two in fact, as both Harden and Ariza miss. The Warriors get the ball back and call timeout. We’re done here.
Warriors 99-92 Rockets, 1:11, 4th quarter
Harden makes two straight layups. The Rockets have a shot.
Warriors 99-88 Rockets, 2:00, 4th quarter
Curry misses a three. Great luck for Houston… but Harden throws the ball away, plus a great opportunity to score. Thompson steals. Green with the layup. And that could be the game.
Warriors 97-88 Rockets, 2:32, 4th quarter
Green makes one of his patented unnecessary fouls to put Tucker to the line. He makes one of two. The Rockets desperately needed both though.
Warriors 97-87 Rockets, 2:57, 4th quarter
Houston has the ball after the timeout. He cuts it down to ten points with a jumper off the inbound.
Warriors 97-85 Rockets, 3:16, 4th quarter
Durant makes a layup. Rockets take a timeout. Fans are already starting to file out. Maybe if the Rockets were making a three the fans would think their team had a chance.
Warriors 95-85 Rockets, 3:29, 4th quarter
It’s hack-a-Capela time. The Warriors put him on the free throw line, he makes one of two It’s ones step forward, two steps back and Durant unleashes a ridiculous shot that goes in. And the Warriors foul Capela again. He makes one.
Warriors 93-83 Rockets, 4:16, 4th quarter
Thompson hits a three-pointer, except he doesn’t as his foot was on the line. So they knock it back to a two-pointer.
Warriors 91-83 Rockets, 4:47, 4th quarter
Gordon with a layup keeps the Rockets hopes alive, but Durant immediately answers with a jumper.
Warriors 89-81 Rockets, 5:53, 4th quarter
That three-pointer snapped a 0-27 run from the three point line from Houston. That’s the most in NBA postseason history. A sign that they can turn things around? Well, Green misses coming out of timeout and Gordon hits a basket to make it an eight-point game.
Warriors 89-79 Rockets, 6:07, 4th quarter
THE HOUSTON ROCKETS HAVE FINALLY MADE A THREE-POINTER! Their first since the first half, courtesy of PJ Tucker. The Warriors are so shook that they take a timeout.
Warriors 89-76 Rockets, 7:02 4th quarter
Gordon gets to the line, makes one of two. Then Curry hits another three. This feels like it’s falling away.
Warriors 86-75 Rockets, 7:40, 4th quarter
…BUT the Rockets get the rebound and Capela makes a basket. That’s a good sign. Kevin Durant hits a three pointer, that’s a horrific sign for them.
Warriors 83-73 Rockets, 8:13, 4th quarter
Out of the timeout. You HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME. ERIC GORDON MISSES A THREE!
Warriors 83-73 Rockets, 8:27, 4th quarter
Ariza with another missed three pointer. I’ve literally lost count about how many in a row that is. After a Livingston miss and a Harden defensive rebound, D’Antoni calls for a timeout. Maybe he’s lost count too.
Warriors 83-73 Rockets, 9:33, 4th quarter
Curry misses a three… but gets the steal on the other end and gets the ball to Klay Thompson for a monster three and it’s a ten point Warriors lead. Gordon has the ball and, what else, misses a three pointer.
Warriors 80-73 Rockets, 10:13, 4th quarter
The game’s getting closer to the rim. Curry and Harden trade baskets, which isn’t great for Houston. BUT there’s a foul on the play, on Draymond Green. Harden gets to the line… and misses. (Sad air horn)
Warriors 78-71 Rockets, 11:00, 4th quarter
Klay with a jumper to start the fourth. Harden responds with a floater of his own. A seven point game, manageable for Houston, if they stop bricking threes.
Warriors 76-69 Rockets, 12:00, 4th quarter
The Warriors are twelve minutes away from a return to the NBA Finals and a rematch with LeBron and the Cavaliers. Can the Rockets spoil it?
End of the 3rd quarter!
Warriors 76-69 Rockets, end of the 3rd quarter
Eric Gordon gets the Rockets back in with two shots, although a Durant jump shot made sure they couldn’t get too much ground before the third quarter came to a merciful end for the Rockets. Can they come back?
Warriors 74-65 Rockets, 58.5, 3rd quarter
Joe Johnson gets in on the act, missing a three-pointer for Houston. This time, at least, the Rockets manage to make up for it, Tucker gets the rebound and gets it back in. But it’s getting darker, Durant is hitting free throws now. Making both after being put on the line by Ariza.
Warriors 72-63 Rockets, 2:11, 3rd quarter
Gordon misses a three, Ariza misses a three. Curry hits a three. Harden misses a three. That’s how this run has gone in a nutshell. I think it’s 22 straight missed three-pointers for Houston.
Warriors 69-63 Rockets, 2:52, 3rd quarter
It’s not a one point game. Curry hits a shot. Ariza, ice cold from long distance, bricks another three. Curry makes another shot and man this is looking bad for Houston.
Warriors 64-63 Rockets, 3:44, 3rd quarter
Gordon runs into Nick Young, who gets the foul called on him. And Durant gets called for a foul. The Rockets are over the limit so Harden gets to the line and hits his free throws. It’s a one-point game.
Warriors 64-61 Rockets, 3:58, 3rd quarter
And we’re tied! Kevin Durant with a huge three pointer! And we’re more than tied! Curry hits a three! The Third Quartering is here!
Warriors 58-61 Rockets, 4:34, 3rd quarter
PJ Tucker knocks Bell down. we’re getting the physical game that people had predicted. Warriors with a timeout.
Warriors 58-61 Rockets, 5:21, 3rd quarter
Harden gets down and he doesn’t let Draymond Green help him up which is amusing. Green takes this personally with a layup.
And Harden finds Capela with an alley-oop in response. But Steph Curry hits a three and the Warriors are within three.
Updated
Warriors 53-59 Rockets, 6:39, 3rd quarter
Out of the timeout, Gordon misses a layup. Again: not a banner day of drawn-up-in-timeout plays today. Tucker gets fouled by Young and he gets to the line and makes… one of two.
@HunterFelt I just let @BillSimmons know that Ramos on Salah was like Olynyk/Love in 2015 playoffs. Boston are dead, here's hoping the Rockets change the spectrum of the Finals monotony #No4Years
— Lucy Fletcher (@lucyfletcher_) May 29, 2018
Things are starting to look dicey here, but Houston remains up front.
Warriors 53-58 Rockets, 7:48, 3rd quarter
Mike D’Antoni calls a timeout. As he should, they’re letting the Warriors back in with a lazy offensive approach. I count seven missed three-pointers this quarter.
Updated
Warriors 53-58 Rockets, 7:48, 3rd quarter
Kevon Looney on the line misses both. Nick Young is in the game by the way, so that should be good news for Houston.
And as soon as I type that he hits a three pointer. 5 point game!
Warriors 50-58 Rockets, 8:13, 3rd quarter
Harden gets a jumper after having a shot waved off. Durant hits a three pointer. It’s 8 points, they’re creeping back in this.
Warriors 47-56 Rockets, 9:42, 3rd quarter
Ariza with a terrible missed three. These are bad habits. And Draymnd Green tips in his own miss to get it within single digits. Has the third quartering begun?
Warriors 45-56 Rockets, 10:48, 3rd quarter
Harden gets the ball to start the second half and he misses a three. There’s been too much of that for Houston. He makes one closer to the basket to start the scoring. Kevon Looney answers with a contested layup.
Second half begins!
Warriors 43-54 Rockets, 12:00, 3rd quarter
And the third quarter has begun!
The Clint Capela line? It’s 14 points, only 2 fewer than Harden, plus 6 rebounds.
This is my reminder that I don’t have a link to a streaming live cast of the game, so emails to me that just say “link” don’t do anything other than give me Zelda flashbacks.
Halftime thoughts
Well, that’s exactly what the Rockets needed in the first half. They’re getting contributions from multiple players and they have a lead heading into the half. Can they weather the storm that is the Warriors in the third quarter? THAT’S the big question. They look out of sorts here, but when the game is on the line, we know they have an extra gear.
Halftime!
Warriors 43-54 Rockets, end of the first half
Harden is in love with his three-pointer and it’s not loving him back. He misses again and Curry scores on the other end. The Warriors miss two straight threes to end the second quarter, while Gordon makes a layup, JUST under the whistle, to increase the Rockets halftime lead to 11 points.
Warriors 41-52 Rockets, 1:26, 2nd quarter
Clint Capela continues to have a monster game. Harden finds him for a dunk, never a good sign for the opponent when he’s dishing out the assists.
Durant makes a jumper. He needs that. So does Golden State. And are you series is that another Capela basket?
Warriors 39-48 Rockets, 2:56, 2nd quarter
The Warriors are going to make a third quarter push, it’s inevitable, so Houston can use some cushion. Things look good when Thompson loses control of the ball again, but Harden throws a bad three and Thompson makes a good one in response to cut down their lead.
Warriors 36-48 Rockets, 4:03, 2nd quarter
Just a nose injury for Harden it seems. He’s staying in the game. The Warriors commit their ninth turnover, it’s on Thompson this time. However, the Rockets can’t convert on their other end and commit an offensive foul to turn the ball over. Curry hits a three on the other end.
Warriors 33-48 Rockets, 5:00, 2nd quarter
James Harden with the steal And the dunk! Man they’re dominating.
But, oh man, is Harden hurt? He’s down.
Warriors 33-46 Rockets, 5:00, 2nd quarter
Nobody scores for about a minute, which I’m honestly okay with until Tucker gets a rebound, man those are killing Golden State, and gets the ball to Capela for a layup. Tucker fouls Durant and puts him on the line and… my god, he misses both. What is wrong with his free throw shooting? This could be brutal.
Warriors 33-44 Rockets, 6:00, 2nd quarter
…But Capela gets the rebound and makes the layup anyways.
Kevin Durant hits a three pointer and the Rockets respond with a timeout, maybe because they need a break after all the scoring. I need it just for trying to transcribe it all (I cheated and used the play-by-play to get everything straight).
Warriors 30-42 Rockets, 6:33, 2nd quarter
Wow there’s a burst of offense! Klay Thompson cuts the bleeding with a three-pointer but Gerald Green (my guy!) responds with a three of his own. While I’m trying to type this all, Shaun Livingston catches a pass from Durant and hits a pull-up jumper. But Houston are responding to every Warriors score! Gordon with a three! Curry finds Draymond for the layup. James Harden with a three pointer…
Oh god he misses. Finally someone misses.
Warriors 23-36 Rockets, 7:54, 2nd quarter
Out of the timeout, Draymond Green throws an interception to James Harden. Steve Kerr has to be on tilt here. Luckily for the Warriors, Harden gives it right back but Curry misses two straight attempts. Gerald Green gets the rebound, James Harden gets an assist and Capela gets a dunk. Wow.
Warriors 23-34 Rockets, 8:37, 2nd quarter
Harden is back in the game after Johnson has played a few solid minutes in his absence. Man, the Warriors defense is MIA right now. Tucker cleans up a Harden miss with an emphatic dunk. Harden and Capela combine for an alley-oop and Golden State has to call a timeout.
Warriors 23-30 Rockets, 9:21, 2nd quarter
Two straight layups for Eric Gordon! He’s had a great series. Klay Thompson hits a layup to cut into the Houston lead.
Warriors 21-26 Rockets, 11:12, 2nd quarter
Eric Gordon takes the first shot of the quarter and misses it. Next up we get a questionable goal-tend on Klay Thompson. Looks like a clean block from Capela. Joe Johnson finds Tucker for a shot. Guess he’s here as more than a veteran present.
Second quarter begins
Warriors 19-24 Rockets, 12:00, 2nd quarter
And the second quarter begins! Let’s hope it’s slightly, er, prettier than the first.
Warriors 19-24 Rockets, end of the 1st quarter
Out of timeout, Harden makes his second free throw. Kevon Looney takes advantage of a defensive hiccup by Houston to slam one home and that’s the end of the scoring in the first quarter. Bu we get a Joe Johnson cameo!
Warriors 17-23 Rockets, 1:30, 1st quarter
Ryan Anderson fouls Kevin Durant, who only makes one of two. Not his best free throw shooting night. Harden is having a better one. After Gerald Green blocks Jordan Bell’s shot, Bell fouls Harden who gets on the line and hits his first free throw. Warriors take a timeout.
Warriors 16-22 Rockets, 2:22, 1st quarter
Gerald Green misses a layup, maybe not a Gerald Green Podium game tonight. Harden makes a shot and hey, Green-on-Green crime. Gerald corrals Draymond’s missed three and gets it to Harden for another basket.
Warriors 16-18 Rockets, 3:37, 1st quarter
Out of the timeout, Ariza loses the ball. Jordan Bell gets the steal. Draymond Green gets the layup on the other end. That’s not what they had drawn up, I’m guessing.
Warriors 14-18 Rockets, 4:03, 1st quarter
Please anybody start making shots, I yell and promptly everybody starts making shots. Shaun Livingston hits a jumper for Golden State. Tucker hits a three for Houston. Durant makes a massive three over Capela and Mike D’Antoni calls for a timeout.
Warriors 9-15 Rockets, 6:01, 1st quarter
Durant is on the line, and he misses two free throws. Wow. Oh, Gerald Green is in the game now for Houston! One of my favorite players in NBA history.
Capela gets fouled and goes on the line for the Rockets and he… misses two free throws. And then Curry misses. Jordan Bell attempts the rebound and fouls it up, PJ Tucker steals and… Trevor Ariza misses a three. This is super-ugly shooting by everybody.
@HoustonRockets v @warriors may come down to coaching. Dantoni’s decision to only use 6-7 player rotation may come back to haunt him after losing Paul for game 7 while Kerr trusting depth may prove pivotal and result in another 2nd half blowout. @hunterfelt
— Uncut Promotions (@UncutPromotions) May 29, 2018
With Klay in early foul trouble, that depth might be a key here for the Warriors. Let’s see what Kerr comes up with.
Warriors 9-15 Rockets, 6:30, 1st quarter
Clint Capela, one of the guys who Houston needs to step up, er… steps up. He dunks. Curry misses a three, Capela with the rebound. He gets it to Eric Gordon who… misses a three pointer. Well he’s not THAT hot.
Warriors 9-13 Rockets, 7:33, 1st quarter
Oh man, Klay’s having a rough start. He picks up his third foul as Harden’s attempting (and hitting) a three pointer. Chance for a four point play… but Harden misses the “and one.” It’s okay, he dishes out to Eric Gordon for a looong three and the Rockets have a solid lead.
Warriors 9-7 Rockets, 8:36, 1st quarter
Harden makes a three to cut the tie, but the Warriors go on a run. Durant makes a jumper. PJ Tucker turns the ball over and Curry makes them pay with a three pointer.
Warriors 4-4 Rockets, 9:40, 1st quarter
Draymond Green picks up a foul, this is not a good trend for Golden State. Durant, however gets to the line in response, he makes two free throws. Klay Thompson makes a layup and we’re tied up.
Warriors 0-4 Rockets, 10:28, 1st quarter
Klay Thompson with a foul. Harden gets to the line and downs two free throws along with MVP chants. The Warriors turn the ball over again and Thompson gets called for his second foul. Eric Godon gets to the line and make two free throws.
Opening tip!
Warriors 0-0 Rockets, 11:33, 1st quarter
We’re off! Warriors have the ball, Steph Curry tries a three… and misses.
And it’s 9pm so it’s officially game time. Now let’s… wait for the game to actually tip off. Woo!
@HunterFelt the James Harden from Game 1 is going to show up, isn’t he? The guy who thinks he’s playing against 5 guys who actually defend and 4 guys who roll their eyes at him.
— Roscommon the Cat (@Roscommon_Cat) May 29, 2018
That’s the other key to how this is going to go: What James Harden will we see?
True to form expect the @HoustonRockets to blast off and start out fast. The @warriors will keep it close and pull away in the second half to reach the NBA Finals. @HunterFelt
— Boxing Uncut (@BoxingUncut) May 29, 2018
This does tend to be how it goes when it comes to the Warriors. The third quarter is going to be the key.
Email from Jacob Edwards:
I’m expecting a lot of tech fouls today, this one is going to get physical
It should be noted that we do have Playoff Draymond playing in a very heated game. On the road. That is a wild card’s wild card. (I am trying to avoid saying “this could get nuts,” but I guess I just said it.)
Email from Ishi Garcia:
though I want rockets to win this series, I still think that the experience of the dubs would take them for another face-off with the cavs. (and yes, it’s getting a liitle tiring already) but who gives a s--t. it’s the other teams fault right? congrats LBJ!!
Starting lineups
These are my favorite tweets because they save my fingers for the typing that I’m going to need when the game gets going.
Game 7 starters#Rockets
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) May 29, 2018
Ariza
Tucker
Capela
Harden
Gordon#Warriors
Durant
Green
Looney
Curry
Thompson
Officials: Scott Foster, Mike Callahan, Derrick Stafford
A prediction guaranteed to be correct:
If the #Warriors win: Durant sucks. He’s soft for going to GS. Four HOFs and HOU down Chris Paul ... Of course KD wins.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 28, 2018
If the #Rockets win: Durant sucks. He’s soft for going to GS. How can you lose w/CP3 on the bench?
For good or ill, Durant’ s reputation will always be haunted by his decision to sign with the Warriors when they had already established themselves as the most dominant team in the league.
Predictions
I really think that the Houston Rockets can-
Nah, no, I’m trying to come with a contrarian take here but its not going to happen for them. Maybe with Paul they have a shot here against a Warriors team that isn’t playing up to their reputation. That’s not going to happen. Golden State is going to win and they’re going to win in convincing fashion. Home court be damned.
Your predictions? Email them to Hunter.Felt.Freelance@theguardian.com or tweet them out to @HunterFelt and we’ll include them.
Chris Paul
The official word on Chris Paul.
Chris Paul is OUT for Game 7.
— Kristen Ledlow (@KristenLedlow) May 29, 2018
I’ve been told if the Rockets advance to the NBA Finals, @CP3 “could be ready” for Game 1.
But, the expectation is to be ready by Game 3. #WCF
It’s a rough go from Paul who finally got out of the second round of the playoffs for the first time in his career only to get injured with his team a win away from making the NBA Finals. Now, the only way they’re going to advance any farther is without his help.
It’s a surreal postseason where the Celtics are the lovable underdogs and Paul, one of the most disliked players in the league, is now a figure of sympathy.
Eastern Conference Finals
In case you missed out, the Cleveland Cavaliers managed to pull ahead of the talented but young Boston Celtics last night. LeBron James is going to his 8th straight NBA Finals which is utterly ridiculous. It’s quite likely that we’re once again going to see Cavaliers/Warriors in the Finals unless the Rockets can pull something out.
Preamble
Welcome to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. The winners of tonight’s game will go on to face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. The Cavaliers eliminated the Boston Celtics in last night’s Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Yes, we have back to back Game 7s! It’s been a pretty wild conference finals, a lot more competitive than most of us thought heading into this round of the playoffs.
The Rockets had a chance to close things out at Oracle Arena, but the Warriors did what they tend to do in the third quarter and blew them out. The Rockets practically stopped scoring in the second half, sending this back to Houston. They’ll have home court, but what they won’t have Chris Paul, the point guard is out thanks to a hamstring injury. James Harden, the presumable MVP of the regular season, is going to have to have a huge game if the Rockets want to conquer the likes of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green etc.
Of course, the Warriors aren’t without injuries themselves as they will be playing without Andre Iguodala. Okay, okay, maybe not *quite* as big of a loss as being without a Chris Paul (or a Kyrie Irving, or a Kevin Love, man there have been lots of injuries in these conference finals). But it’s something.
If you want to contribute to today’s blog, feel free to send out your thoughts, predictions, jokes, questions, absurdist one-liners, etc and we’ll use them here. You can send those via Twitter (to @HunterFelt) or by email (Hunter.Felt.Freelance@theguardian.com). The game is scheduled to start at 9pm and opening tip will probably be somewhere 10-15 minutes afterwards. It’s Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals at Toyota Center! We’ll be back shortly with predictions, analysis and updates.
Hunter will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s how the Eastern Conference finals were decided:
On Sunday night, LeBron James was playing a different game than everybody else. As he stood at the top of the key, he paused and dribbled, watching the shot clock run down. He did not panic. He did not flinch. And as time all but expired he strode to the rim over yet another overmatched Boston Celtic.
The most remarkable thing about the most remarkable run of the the game’s most remarkable player of his era is how easy he makes everything seem right now. This year’s Cleveland Cavaliers may well be the worst of the eight teams James has led to the finals, lacking another playmaker who would be a legitimate sidekick. The burden of driving towards another championship looks, at times, as if it is James’s alone, and yet he shrugs at his task.
Dribble. Pause. Drive. Basket.
He carved through the Celtics in the final two games of the NBA’s Eastern Conference finals, toying with Boston’s young, fearless players, who were all but helpless to stop him. In the end, Sunday’s 87-79 Game 7 victory could be his finest moment – even more than the championship he finally brought the Cavaliers in 2016 or the two titles won in Miami.
You can read the full article here:
