LOS ANGELES: The Golden State Warriors advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs on Sunday, overcoming two straight losses to secure a 103-89 Game 7 victory over the Houston Rockets.
The Warriors, the last team to reach the conference semifinals, were joined earlier in the day by the Indiana Pacers, who stunned the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-112 at home.
Buddy Hield was the star for the Warriors, scoring a game-high 33 points, including nine three-pointers.
Stephen Curry added 22 points, with 14 coming in the fourth quarter, as the Warriors closed out the Rockets, who had been hoping to make history by coming back from a 3-1 series deficit.
The Warriors were led by Hield’s six first-half three-pointers, helping them build a 51-39 halftime lead. Despite the Rockets’ best efforts, led by Amen Thompson’s 24 points and Alperen Sengun’s 21 points and 14 rebounds, the Warriors kept control, with Curry stepping up in the final quarter to lead them to victory.
The Warriors now face the Minnesota Timberwolves, who eliminated LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
In Cleveland, the Indiana Pacers upset the top-seeded Cavaliers with a 121-112 win, led by Andrew Nembhard's 23 points and five three-pointers.
Tyrese Haliburton added 22 points and 13 assists, steering the Pacers past Cleveland, despite Donovan Mitchell’s 33-point effort.
Indiana’s 19 three-pointers helped overcome a late-game rally by the Cavs, who were missing All-Star point guard Darius Garland due to injury.
The Pacers will now advance to the next round, with a strong performance and resilience on display throughout the game.
[Reported by Arab News]
