The Western Conference finals enter the usually crucial fifth game, which the Houston Rockets made crucial again by winning the fourth game, topping the Warriors by 3 points at Golden State.
By doing so, the Rockets made it a series, and could take control of it with a game 5 win at home. Because of home court and the short duration between games 3, 4 and 5, Houston will be the favorite.
The won't win, though. If game 4 was a test of James Harden's legacy, game 5 is a test of the Warriors, and specifically Kevin Durant. Durant had chances to nail down the win in game 4 but rushed his shots and failed to play Warrior team basketball.
The team that wins game 5 has two games to win their fourth, with both teams having a home game remaining. They both won a game on the road. By winning the first game, the Warriors still have an advantage in the game to game adjustments, going into game 5.
They should have Iguodala back, a crucial player against this Houston lineup. The first three games were blowouts. In game 4, the two teams alternated dominating quarters: the Warriors won the first and third, the Rockets won the second and fourth. Game 5 may finally be the game that is close from start to finish. Or not. These two teams are unusual.
The Rockets are hungry. They know that the winner of this series is a prohibitive favorite to win the championship. But the Warriors are champions, and more than in any game in the past two playoffs, they must prove it in game 5.
The Warriors will win game 5 on the road, and game 6 at home to wrap up the series.
There is not much to say about the Eastern conference, except that with both teams winning their home games, the advantage still lies with Boston. The likely remaining question is whether they win it in 6 or 7.
5 days ago
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