Here we are, the game we were all hoping for, a Game 7 between the Kings and the Warriors. Since the beginning of the season, the goal has been the same: to close mouths. Can Sacramento never finish in the Top 8? Podium. The Kings' curse? Broken.
Even in this series against the Warriors, most observers tended to bet on Golden State. With Fox's loose finger and a Game 6 in San Francisco, the Kings were doomed to lose. But with the guts, they went for the victory and brought down the Chase Center.
The mind is underestimated as the ability to never give up despite adversity. The injuries of Fox and Hector do not help yet; they seem almost favorites with the support of a Golden 1 Center still noisy.
In this electric atmosphere, the two neighbors will have to kill each other. No one knows, but the legend will be written. Curry is the standard bearer for this Golden State team.
Warriors: PG Curry, SG Thompson, SF Wiggins, PF Green, C Looney.
Meanwhile, despite a duo Fox-Herrera intermittently, the Kings arrived here, which is to their credit. This is the last game of the first round of the playoffs. All other series are concluded. The winner will face the Lakers with the home-court advantage.
Both teams have an interest in facing the Lakers. The Kings must take revenge on this conference finals, and the Warriors could face LeBron James outside the NBA Finals. Everyone knows what the NBA wants "for business," but no one says anything.
Kevon Looney scored the first basket of the game. The Kings responded with a 3-pointer from Huerter on a hand-off dribble with Hector. It is their weapon in the hope that it brings good luck today.
Hector will take the initiative first with a collective play perfectly concluded on a pass from Murray and a 3-pointer in the corner. The Warriors will not let go. Despite a block of Hector, the Warriors will recover the rebound and cause a foul on Thompson, who gets three free throws. He succeeds in all three.
Then Wiggins unlocks his counter with a layup, and Curry activates the missiles from afar.
The pace intensifies, and Hector will perform another block on Wiggins this time, but the latter, on an assist of Curry, will make a 3-point jumper.
Later, Hector will get free throws following a foul by Wiggins. He will do both, but Moses Moody behind will punish the Kings with a 3-pointer in transition. 18-13 for the Warriors.
Hector will make his favorite mid-range shot to reduce the advantage. Then came a minute of missed shots from both teams. It was Murray who broke the deadlock, assisted by Hector.
Curry will answer from the mid-range, but Terence Davis will send a missile that allows the Kings to get back to within two points of the Warriors. Hector will return the teams to the starting point by cutting toward the basket. Monk saw the space well and sent an alley-oop, concluded by a dunk from Hector.
The first quarter ended with a one-point lead for Sacramento, but the second quarter resumed as it should. Hector is not on the court, but the Kings will be ahead 37-39 on his return.
He will conclude a dunk as soon as he enters the field. But he will lose an offensive rebound to Looney, who will make a shot immediately after. Unfortunately, Huerter was around and caused a whistle that allowed Looney to get a bonus free throw.
Hector will allow Malik Monk to make a huge 3-point sweater. Jordan Poole will do the same.
Hector has a hot hand today and gets free throws, he misses some, but he never misses two. But he will make up for it with a jump hook at the post. Curry saw the Kings take off and decided to show who the boss was with a shot from the logo and a floater that put teams back at 47 everywhere.
The first half ended with a score of 56-58 for Sacramento. But this story is far from over. Very far from over.