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It took the Golden State Warriors seven games to finish the job many expected them to do in the Western Conference finals, which was to defeat the Houston Rockets. But they got it done nonetheless after beating James Harden and company on the road Monday, 101-92.
Harden scored 32 points in Game 7 of the series but went just 12-for-29 from the field, which includes an ugly 2-for-13 shooting from behind the arc.
Speaking with ESPN Radio, Warriors forward Kevin Durant disclosed the tactic his team applied in the game to limit Harden’s impact, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
Kevin Durant on @ESPNRadio "We knew at some point they’d tire out. James dribbled so much each possession, I know at some point he’ll wear down and we were going at him on the defensive side of the ball as well"
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 29, 2018
Harden was especially silent in the third quarter when the Warriors unleashed their signature second-half runs. In that period, Harden scored just six points on 2-for-7 shooting from the floor, which were simply not enough to help Houston weather Golden State’s 33-15 run in the frame.
As for Kevin Durant, the former league MVP was more efficient with his offense. He knocked in 11 of his 21 shot attempts to finish with a game-high of 34 points to go with his five rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and a steal in 44 minutes of action.
The Warriors will have a couple days of rest before plunging into Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers this coming Thursday at home.
