Event of the Day: Houston Rockets versus Golden State Warriors
Our event of the day is Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors at the Toyota Center in Houston. After the Rockets took the lead for the first time in the series with two straight narrow victories, the Warriors fought back on Saturday night to win at home 115-86 and force a decider. Houston opened the game strongly and had a 17-point lead after the first quarter but the champions responded by outscoring them 64-25 in the second half and won the match comfortably. Shooting guard Klay Thompson hit nine three-pointers and had 35 points, while the Rockets’ star player, James Harden scored 32 points and added nine assists.
Houston’s point guard Chris Paul, who was vital for them in Games 4 and 5 of the series, missed the duel at the Oracle Arena and is fighting against the clock to recover from injury to his right hamstring in time. The Dubs have a similar problem with small forward Andre Iguodala who is likely to be absent for a fourth straight game of the series tonight, due to a bone bruise on his left knee. Kevin Durant is leading the Warriors on points in the playoffs with 28.7 on average per game, while Houston’s Harden scores 28.4 per game. The paint is dominated by center Clint Capela (11.8 rebounds per game for the Rockets) and power forward Draymond Green (averaging 11.6 rebounds for Golden State). Will the champions reach their fourth consecutive NBA Finals or will Houston make it for the first time since 1995? Don’t miss this decisive clash at the Toyota Center.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to Day 2 of the 2018 French Open at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris. Defending champion Rafael Nadal of Spain will take on the Italian Simone Bolelli on the Philippe-Chatrier Court in the men’s singles tournament. The Stanley Cup Finals start with the opening game of the best-of-seven series between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In the MLB, the New York Yankees host the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium in New York City. There are plenty of Friendly Internationals in football including the clash between Mexico and Wales at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Portugal face Tunisia at the Estádio Municipal de Braga in Braga, while the United States of America go head-to-head with Bolivia at the Talen Energy Stadium in Chester.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NBA