HOUSTON -- A grotesque first half gave way to a gorgeous third quarter, and the transformation delivered the Warriors to their fourth consecutive NBA Finals.
Down by as much as 15, the Warriors roared back for a 101-92 victory over the Rockets in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night at Toyota Center
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Kevin Durant scored 34 points, Stephen Curry 27, Klay Thompson 19 and Draymond Green 10 as the Warriors overcame an atrocious first quarter against a Houston team without its leader, Chris Paul.
The Rockets, who die or thrive with the 3-point shot, were 1-of-21 (4.8 percent) from deep in the second half and 7-of-44 (15.9 percent) overall.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
All four All-Stars came through in one form or another, but Durant recovered from a mediocre first half to play perhaps his best all-around game of the series.
Durant’s line: 34 points (11-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-11 from beyond the arc, 7-of-10 from the line), five rebounds, five assists and three blocks. He played 44 minutes and finished plus-10.
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TURNING POINT:
After the Rockets took a 56-43 lead on a layup by James Harden 56 seconds into the second half, the Warriors responded with a 29-7 run, going up 72-63 on a 3-pointer by Curry with 2:11 left in the third quarter.
The Warriors outscored Houston 33-15 in the quarter, taking a 76-69 lead into the fourth. Their second half was in stark contrast to their first, when they committed 10 turnovers and were outrebounded 26-17.
Houston got no closer than six in the fourth.
INJURY UPDATE:
Warriors: C/F Kevon Looney (L toe soreness) was listed as probable and upgraded to available prior to tipoff. F Andre Iguodala (L lateral leg bone bruise) was listed as out.
Rockets: G Chris Paul (R hamstring strain) was listed as questionable and downgraded to out prior to tipoff.
WHAT’S NEXT:
The NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers begin Thursday, with Game 1 set for 6 p.m. at Oracle Arena.
Game | Result/Schedule |
---|---|
Game 1 | Warriors 119, Rockets 106 |
Game 2 | Rockets 127, Warriors 105 |
Game 3 | Warriors 126, Rockets 85 |
Game 4 | Rockets 95, Warriors 92 |
Game 5 | Rockets 98, Warriors 94 |
Game 6 | Warriors 115, Rockets 86 |
Game 7 | Warriors 101, Rockets 92 |