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Let’s go! The Golden State Warriors will officially take on the Houston Rockets

ByNathan Beighle|
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 03: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots over Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on January 3, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 03: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots over Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on January 3, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

It’s on! The Golden State Warriors, who just eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6, will take on the Houston Rockets in the second round.

This is a matchup that both teams have been anticipating, and it’s finally confirmed. After a long series with the LA Clippers, the Golden State Warriors have advanced and will, for the fifth straight season, play in the Western Conference semifinals.

Unlike last season, their opponent will be the Rockets, a team that took the West’s regular season throne last year. Although they eventually fell to Golden State in the postseason, the Rockets, who didn’t lose too many noteworthy pieces, will be every bit as lethal as last season.

The media wants every part of this matchup too.

Even after their Game 6 victory, the Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr had to start answering questions about how they’ll match up with Houston. His answer is pretty interesting to say the least.

Not rattled by when they play Houston or how Houston plays, Kerr should have his Warriors ready for whatever is thrown their way. That said, let’s hope this series isn’t a replica of what happened in the regular season.

The Rockets defeated the Warriors in three of their four regular-season matchups. The only game the Warriors won was when they were without Kevin Durant, who is coming off a 50-point performance in Game 6.

This series could be the most exciting of the postseason. There’s a real possibility that as good as the Rockets are playing that they dethrone the two-time defending champs. That’s why all eyes should be on this high-profile matchup.

For Golden State, they’ll, like Kerr said, know what to expect. These games will not come down to how well the coaches out-coach each other, but how well can the players play. Last season, Houston saw a streak of 27 missed threes doom their season. That couldn’t be put on their coach.

This season, the teams will be so acquainted with each other that the game-by-game play of the stars will be the biggest factor in the outcome.

After the Friday night Game 6 for Golden State, they’ll travel back home and prepare to take on the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals which start on Sunday afternoon in Oracle Arena.

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