The Golden State Warriors handled business against the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
In an elimination Game 7 contest, the Dubs led most of the way and secured a 103-89 victory to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
Buddy Hield was Golden State’s top performer, as the Oklahoma product finished with 33 points on 80% field goal shooting and 81.8% three-point shooting in 37 minutes. Unsurprisingly, Stephen Curry wasn’t too far behind.
The generational shooter netted 22 points on 50% field goal shooting and 40.0% long-range shooting in 46 minutes.
After the Warriors’ hard-fought victory, Curry made a major announcement regarding the franchise’s second-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Mission accomplished, step one; we have an incredible Minnesota team waiting, so I’m excited for the challenge,” Curry said.
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“I know what Ant (Anthony Edwards) is, obviously, Rudy (Gobert) and his 20-20 game, we haven’t seen them in a long time.”
“I just know that they’re going to bring the best out of us, and it’s going to be a challenge. We have to start on the road again, but thankfully, we have life, and that’s all we needed.”
Like the Warriors, the Timberwolves played well enough to keep their championship hopes alive in early May. The Edwards-led Western Conference franchise eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
In the series' final game, Edwards scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out eight assists, while Gobert notched 27 points and pulled down 24 rebounds in a 103-96 win.
The Warriors last faced the Timberwolves on Jan. 15 without Jimmy Butler, securing an impressive 116-115 road victory thanks to Curry’s 31 points.
With Butler in the fold, Steve Kerr’s club should feel even better about their chances of prevailing against Minnesota when it matters most.
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