Warriors make good on their promise to reach Game 7

HOUSTON • When the Golden State Warriors lost Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference final to the Rockets on Thursday to send them to the brink of elimination, they vowed to be back in Houston for Game 7.

After a resounding win in Game 6, that’s exactly where the defending champions are: preparing for a winner-take-all game Monday night for a spot in the NBA final.

“It’s what you play for, to be in a situation where you’re one win away from going to the finals,” Stephen Curry said.

“Pressure both ways because of how big the moment is and you’ve got to want it.”

The Warriors trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half Saturday before using a splendid second half to roll to a 115-86 victory.

“I guarantee if we start the game out like we did (Saturday) and they jump out to the lead, it’s going to be 10 times harder to make it a game,” Curry said.

“So for us, that’s our challenge: to have the same mentality we had for the last 36 minutes of (Game 6) and bring that from the jump in Game 7.”

The Rockets might have to play without star Chris Paul, who is dealing with a strained right hamstring and his status for Game 7 will likely be a game-time decision. James Harden, who had 22 points in the first half on Saturday night but just 10 the rest of the way, insists the Rockets remain confident.

“There’s no pressure. It’s an opportunity, an opportunity that we all are excited to be a part of,” he said.

“Game 7 at our house, that’s what we’ve worked the entire regular season for (is) to get home-court advantage. So we’re going to come out and be ready.”