Buddy Hield lifts Warriors to massive Game 7 win over Rockets

Buddy Hield, who wasn't even a starter then this first-round series began, put up 33 points on 12-for-15 shooting and a record-tying nine three-pointers as the Warriors beat the Rockets on the road, 103-89. 

The Warriors had trouble solving the Rockets' defense, including double-center lineups and zone defense, but Hield raining threes from everywhere on the court wasn't anything head coach Ime Udoka and the Rockets expected.

Hield fueled the Warriors offense with 22 first-half points as Houston held Curry scoreless until 33 seconds remained in the half, though the Warriors guard did contribute six rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks. In the fourth quarter, "Chef Curry" delivered 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting with three rebounds, an assist and a steal.

But in a game where the Warriors still only scored 103 points, it was their defense that got them to the next round. The Rockets scored 89 points, and 15 of those came in the final 2:15 of the game, after the Warriors had taken a 20-point lead. Houston shot 40.5% from the field, and that's after going 6-for-7 in that hot-but-meaningless final stretch.

Alperen Sengun shot 9-for-23. Jalen Green was 3-for-8. Dillon Brooks shot 3-for-9 and 0-for-3 on three-pointers. The Rockets' ball-hawking defense even lost the turnover battle, 11-7, as the Warriors took unusually good care of the ball.

The one Rocket who shined in Game 7 was sophomore Amen Thompson, who had 24 points and nine rebounds to go along with some lockdown defense. The Rockets may be out of the playoffs, but the 22-year-old Thompson played far more maturely than you'd expect in his first playoff series.

For a team that's identified with Curry and prolific three-point shooting, it's been the Warriors' defense that's carried their best teams to success. With Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler playing lockdown defense, and even Curry blocking two shots, the Warriors simply smothered the Rockets offense on their home court.

They won't get much time to rest and celebrate their win. Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves tips-off on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET. The T-wolves may need to use that time to scout game film of Hield.