The Golden State Warriors are headed to the NBA finals for the first time in 40 years, eliminating the Houston Rockets on Wednesday to set up a title showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers The Warriors, the best team in the regular season with 67 victories and 15 defeats, pulled away late to beat the Rockets 104-90 and seal a 4-1 series victory in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals. They will battle Eastern Conference champions Cleveland, led by four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, in their first championship series since 1975 - when the Warriors won their only title. The Warriors host Game 1 in Oakland on June 4. Reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry, playing with a protective sleeve on his right arm after a frightening fall in Game 5, led the Warriors with 26 points. Forward Harrison Barnes played a key role, helping Golden State break open a close contest with four straight baskets to cap an 11-2 scoring run that turned a six-point lead into an 87-72 Warriors advantage with 7:07 left to play.
The Warriors defense harried Rockets star guard James Harden into a dismal two-for-11 shooting performance. He missed all three of his three-point attempts and finished with an NBA playoff record 13 turnovers. Harden, who scored a critical 45 points as the Rockets fended off elimination in Game 4, finished with 14 points.
