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NBA: GSW launch Rockets out of Playoffs, Pacers stun Cavs on the road
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 05.05.25. | 09:45
Curry and Co. smashed Houston in Texas in Game 7 and knocked out the second-seeded team, scheduling the duel with the T-Wolves, while Indiana "broke" Cleveland already in Game 1
It's 2018 all over again for the Rockets! The team with James Harden and Chris Paul was eliminated in the Western Conference final by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant's Golden State in seven games, and the current generation of Houston experienced the same fate, only two steps earlier - 103-89.
The Texas crew was 1-0 and 3-1 down in the series, managed to level to 3-3, and had a match point in front of its own crowd, but it wasn't enough, as the Warriors avoided the 2016 NBA Finals destiny, when LeBron James' Cleveland returned from losing 3-1 to clinch the title.
Curry and Jimmy Butler were decent with 22 and 20 points, respectively, but Steve Kerr's team's match-winner was Buddy Hield, who poured on 33 points, shooting 9/11 from behind the arc! The Bahamian thus became the first player to score 30+ points and no free throw attempts in Game 7.
On the other hand, Amen Thompson, with 24 points, and Alperen Sengun, with 21 points, led Houston, though their key player, Jalen Green, ended the game with only eight points.
In the Western Conference semi-final, the Warriors will face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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In the East, the playoff semi-finals began last night and the visitors threw the first punch in the opening match! Indiana stunned Cleveland in Ohio, beating the table-toppers from the regular season 121-112.
Excellent opening and final quarters brought a vital victory to the Pacers, who were led by Andrew Nembhard (23 points) and Tyrese Haliburton (22 points and 13 assists). Donovan Mitchell was outstanding among the Cavs with 33 points but lacked teammates' help.
NBA RESULTS
Western Conference - First Round
Monday
Houston Rockets - Golden State Warriors 89-103
/Thompson 24 - Hield 33/
Golden State win the series 4-3
Western Conference - Semi-finals
Tuesday
04:30: (1.27) Oklahoma (15.0) Denver (4.30)
Series tied 0-0
Wednesday
04:30: (1.50) Minnesota (13.0) Golden State (2.95)
Series tied 0-0
Eastern Conference - Semi-finals
Monday
Cleveland Cavaliers - Indiana Pacers 112-121
/Mitchell 33 - Nembhard 23/
Indiana lead 1-0 in the series
Tuesday
02:00: (1.27) Boston (15.0) New York (4.30)
Series tied 0-0
Wednesday
02:00: (1.27) Cleveland (15.0) Indiana (4.30)
Indiana lead the series 1-0
***odds are subject to change***
