Golden State Warriors Eliminate Houston Rockets in Game 7

On Sunday evening, the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors will face off in a win-or-go-home Game 7 to advance to a second-round date with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Down 3-1, the Rockets seemed all but beaten, but have climbed back in with two straight wins, largely fueled by Fred VanVleet’s white-hot offense, the double-big lineup of Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams, as well as the continued solid defense as a whole. With the series now tied at 3-3, the Rockets seems to have re-gained momentum with Game 7 being in Houston.

You can follow below for live analysis on a pivotal Game 7 between the Rockets and Warriors:

First Quarter: Warriors 23, Rockets 19

Golden State threw the first punch, jumping out to a 13-8 lead behind 5-for-7 shooting. The Warriors scoring rhythm has been nice early, but back-to-back plays from second-year guard Amen Thompson cut the lead to just two early. The action was fast-paced until the first break, with the road team holding a 16-13 advantage.

Houston grabbed its first lead of the game on a high-rising Jalen Green layup to make it 19-17, though Golden State would hit a quick three. The first frame was as competitive as the rest of the series, featuring stout defense and physicality. Buddy Hield would deliver a half-court buzzer-beater to end the quarter.

Second Quarter: Warriors 51, Rockets 39

Hield would continue to be the Warriors' best source of offense early, at one point seeing 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting to give Golden State a six-point lead.

Houston would cut into the nine-point lead with Amen Thompson free throws, making it 33-26, and a subsequent Tari Eason 3-pointer would cut it to a manageable four points.

The Warriors found their largest lead of the game on a Curry-assisted floater from Brandin Podziemski, making it 39-29. Despite Golden State's lead, Curry is 0-for-5 from the field with zero points.

Hield would continue his prolific first half with two more 3-pointers, helping his team's lead blossom to 14. The former Pelicans top-10 pick now has 19 total points in the first half of Game 7.

Thompson would make a few acrobatic plays to end the half, but the Warriors' offensive onslaught led by Hield would be too much in half one.

Third Quarter: Warriors 70, Rockets 62

Out of the half, Thompson did his best to infuse the Rockets with energy, getting out in transition quick and driving to the rim with force. Despite a few timely Warriors buckets, Thompson was able to cut the lead to just nine at 56-47, forcing a timeout.

As its done all season, the Rockets defense has made it a competitive game, but the offense has still been a struggle. Alperen Sengun scored on a wide open layup, and Jalen Green got out in transition to cut the lead to just five.

After a Steven Adams offensive rebound, Jabari Smith Jr. would find his first points of the game on a 3-pointer, which would cut the Golden State lead to just three, forcing a Steve Kerr timeout. The Rockets defense has been stellar in quarter three, with the Warriors struggling mightily in the halfcourt.

Golden State would make a mini run at the end of the third to re-gain an arm's length lead.

Final: Warriors 103, Rockets 89

Curry would open the quarter with back-to-back buckets opposed to two Sengun misses, making the Warriors' lead 13 and forcing an Ime Udoka timeout. Thompson suffered an apparent calf injury in the third quarter, and has been sidelined while Udoka tries out the double-big lineup with the Rockets down 11.

Curry continued his fourth-quarter dominance with Thompson on the bench, helping Golden State coast to a 12-point lead with just around seven minutes remaining in the game and series.

Despite continued solid defense, the Rockets offense has continued to struggle into the late stages of the game, with Golden State holding a double-digit lead with just 3:33 remaining in the game.

Curry would rip a dagger with around three minutes remaining in the game to make it 91-74, Warriors. A subsequent Hield 3-pointer — his eighth on the night — would give Golden State an insurmountable 20-point lead wiht minutes remaining.