It is win or bust for both the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors when they go head-to-head in Game Seven of their playoff series at the Toyota Center on Monday.
Awaiting the winners of this matchup in the next round are the Minnesota Timberwolves, who completed one of the biggest upsets in the playoffs so far by beating the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
Match preview
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Despite finishing five places above the Warriors during the regular season, the Rockets were widely regarded as underdogs to make it through to the conference semi-finals, and a 95-85 defeat in the first game did little to dispel that notion.
Ime Udoka's men fought back in Game Two to level the series at one win apiece, but defeats in the subsequent two matches at Chase Center left them on the brink of elimination on their return to the postseason.
With such a young team going 3-1 down, many would have expected the Rockets to throw in the towel somewhat, although they have since come out on top in games five and six to restore parity in the series and force a Game Seven.
Fred VanVleet's renaissance and the utilisation of Steven Adams in a more prominent capacity have been perhaps the biggest contributors to the Rockets' resurgence, and both men will need to be on song once again.
Having won seven of their 12 Game Sevens in NBA history, Monday's hosts have fared well more often than not, although it is worth noting that their last defeat at this stage came against the Warriors back in 2018.
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After a seventh-place finish during the regular season, the Warriors needed to navigate the play-in tournament to book their place in the postseason, and they managed just that courtesy of a 121-116 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies on April 16.
Steve Kerr's men got their playoff journey underway with a victory five days later on enemy territory and looked to have taken a decisive lead after the fourth game but have since been reeled in by their relentless opponents.
A 131-116 defeat in Game Five on May 1 was followed by a disappointing 115-107 loss in Game Six two days later, leaving the Warriors in a precarious situation if they are to avoid an early postseason exit for the first time since 2014.
The Warriors have blown a 3-1 series lead in the past en route to a finals defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2018 and will be aiming to avoid becoming just the fourth team in NBA history to suffer that fate on two occasions alongside the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and, most recently, the Los Angeles Clippers.
Currently with the most points in a game seven in NBA history (50) as well as the fourth most per game (32.6), behind Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan, Steph Curry will need to put on a show if his side are to emerge victorious from what is set to be a thrilling encounter.
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Team News
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Jock Landale and Jae'Sean Tate are both unavailable for the Houston Rockets here due to knee and ankle injuries respectively, with the latter still awaiting a first appearance of the series.
Jalen Green has endured a largely underwhelming playoff journey so far, averaging just 14.2 points per game, just under six fewer than his regular-season tally.
Twenty-two-year-old Jonathan Kuminga missed Game Five through an illness but is expected to be back in time to suit up for the Warriors in Monday's clash.
Off the back of a zero-point outing last time out, Buddy Hield could be dropped to the bench for this one, as Kerr has previously shown in the past he is not afraid to make changes when necessary.
Houston Rockets possible starting five:
VanVleet, Green; Brooks, Thompson; Sengun
Golden State Warriors possible starting five:
Curry, Moody; Podziemski, Butler; Green
We say: Warriors to win by 5+ points
The Warriors have more players who have faced high-pressure matches, and experience usually comes in handy in games of Monday's nature.
We are backing the away side to claim a hard-fought win on the road and keep their playoff journey alive.
Adepoju Marvellous
