Warriors top West Set up NBA Finals title battle vs Cavs anew
HOUSTON — The Golden State Warriors, so used to making things look easy, overcame one of their toughest tests to return to the NBA Finals.
They climbed out of huge holes in the last two games of the Western Conference finals to beat Houston, but may have to play in the first half the way they have after halftime if they hope to knock off LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers and repeat as champions.
"They played a great series, they made us work for everything ... I'm just proud of the way we battled," Klay Thompson said. "We've been through a lot with this team, and believe it or not, it's not all success with the Warriors."
"We've got our bumps throughout the season," he continued. "But to get to this point again, we earned it."
Without Andre Iguodala again, the Warriors shook off another terrible first half in Game 7 on Monday night to rally for a 101-92 victory that made them the fifth team in NBA history to advance to the finals in four straight seasons.
Golden State trailed by 11 at halftime after being behind at the break by 10 points in Game 6, becoming the first team to win multiple elimination games in the same series when trailing by double digits after two quarters.
Coach Steve Kerr lamented that Golden State's first half on Monday night was "one of the most bizarre first halves" his team has played since he's been with the Warriors and joked that he thought of resigning at halftime before getting serious.
"Our talent took over," Kerr said. "It's as simple as that. We've got three of the best shot-makers in the league ... we stayed with it." AP