Without Kevin Durant but with 60 points between Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets 118-113 and advanced to the NBA Western Conference finals.
The Splash Brothers, faced with the loss of Durant after being injured in the fifth game, remembered that duo that dominated the league alone before the arrival of the stellar forward three seasons ago and sentenced the tie to the first exchange for a global of 4 -two.
“We have missed him (Durant). He is the best player in the league, he has brought us here and the least we could do was cover him in a situation like this, “said Curry after the match.
The reigning champions will collide in the next instance with the winner of the duel between the Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers, whose seventh game will be played on Sunday in Colorado.
– Curry to the rescue –
In an even game from start to finish, in which the lead on the scoreboard changed up to 21 times, Curry emerged as the hero of his team in the second half after a disastrous first half.
And is that the point guard went to rest without seeing the rim for the first time in his 102 playoff games, with a series of 0/5 in shooting and three fouls; But he scored 33 points in the second half and 23 in the final period, including two 3-pointers in the final moments and several decisive free throws to bring the Oakland Bay team one step closer to their third consecutive title, the fourth in five. years.
«It is always difficult when I have foul problems and I am in and out of the game. The last quarter has been incredible. It is a great victory for us, ”stressed the star base.
“This meeting sums up what an exceptional player Steph is. It was not a factor before the break and he made grotesque fouls, but then he plugged himself in and signed one of his best games of the season. It is one of the most satisfying victories in our shared history in five years, ”celebrated Golden State coach Steve Kerr.
Previously, Thompson had been in charge of keeping the Warriors alive and the shooting guard finished with 27 points and 7/13 shooting from three.
The Golden State bench was also decisive, with 33 points after averaging just 10 throughout the tie.
For the Rockets, point guard Chris Paul was the best with 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while guard James Harden finished as the leading scorer with 35 points but an 11/25 series on shooting.
“This is going to leave a mark,” said Texan coach Mike D’Antoni at a press conference.
«They played better than us, they were smarter and they scored in the important moments. It’s as simple as that, ”Paul summarized.
Houston lost for the second time in a row to the Rockets after doing so last season in Game 7 of the Western Finals and their future is now uncertain, financially compromised and with an aging roster. AFP