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2016 NBA Playoffs: The Deciding Factor In Each First Round Series

By Gerald Bourguet

May 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 104-90 to advance to the NBA Finals. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the fourth quarter in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 104-90 to advance to the NBA Finals. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Playoffs
May 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) looks to drive as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) defends during the first half in game three of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 Houston Rockets

Divine Intervention

Here’s the list of things that have to happen for the Golden State Warriors to lose their first round series to a Houston Rockets team that backed its way into the postseason thanks to the Utah Jazz dropping some very winnable games down the stretch:

  • A series of meteors crash all around the Warriors’ hotel room, leaving a smoldering pile of melted metal where the doors used to be that prevent Golden State from playing in at least two games
  • James Harden invoking the spirit of Oscar Robertson and posting a 45-15-10 stat line for the series
  • Stephen Curry going uncharacteristically cold for a whole seven games
  • A Monstar invasion that soaks up the Dubs’ talent

You get the picture.

On a more serious note, Harden has been carrying this Rockets team for months, despite his reputation as the league’s most controversial superstar. Without him having the series of his life and Dwight Howard absolutely rampaging the boards against Andrew Bogut, Houston has no shot.

Unfortunately, Harden will have to contend with one of the better defensive 2-guards in the league in Klay Thompson, a deadly perimeter sniper who can also make the Rockets pay on the other end of the floor if Harden plays his patented non-existent defense.

With the Dubs touting the league MVP in the middle of one of the finest seasons we’ve ever seen, Harden has to completely dominate his individual matchup with Thompson, and even that might not be enough.

Prediction: Golden State Warriors in 4 games

Next: Cavaliers vs. Pistons