The Warriors will return to the NBA Finals for a fourth straight season, where they will face the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth straight time. Golden State got there with a totally predictable third quarter rally that was boosted by a totally shocking cold streak from the Rockets, who missed a record 27 straight three-pointers from the 6:43 mark in the second to the 6:28 mark in the fourth. That’s 24 minutes and 15 seconds of game time — more than half of a Game 7 with a massive three-pointer drought for a team who lives off the three-point line.
Houston had big first half leads on Golden State in each of their two elimination games, but neither was enough. It’s just so hard to finish off the Warriors. The Rockets played well and it turned out to be a great, memorable series, though.
The NBA Finals begin on Thursday.
Monday’s Scores
Warriors 101, Rockets 92
Golden State wins 4-3
Recaps: Golden State Of Mind | The Dream Shake
Links Galore
A reminder that there is a world in which the Rockets could sign LeBron James this summer. It is written.
Don’t ask Mike D’Antoni if the Rockets take too many threes. He will laugh at you.
In appreciation of James Harden’s dunk celebration that involves pretending to check for a nosebleed and, occasionally, tricking Marv Albert into thinking he lost a contact or something.
In his latest mock draft, Rick O’Donnell continues to put Luka Doncic at No. 1 and Deandre Ayton at No. 2, and it’s clear this has become a huge, real, and legit debate. Skilled 7-footers and high-IQ versatile wings are both valuable in today’s NBA. You really can’t go wrong with these two (unless the other turns out to be an all-timer, I suppose). The Kings, picking second, are really in a can’t-lose situation.
Brian Windhorst on LeBron’s mammoth achievement. Ramona Shelburne on what the Warriors have.
The Celtics will return with a bullet next fall.
The Dario Saric celebration encyclopedia.
Cavaliers majority partner Dan Gilbert says the team will focus on convincing LeBron to stay in Cleveland after the Finals. Something tells me the Finals themselves are going to work against the Cavs’ front office here ...
When will prominent white male athletes follow Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr’s lead?
And finally: mad respect to JaVale and Swaggy P for their heady achievement.
Be excellent to each other.