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Looking back at that incredible 2018 Western Conference Finals between the Warriors and Rockets, I still get chills remembering how these two basketball titans clashed. Having covered the NBA for over a decade, I can confidently say this series represented the absolute peak of modern basketball strategy and superstar talent. The way these teams adjusted game to game, the tactical chess match between coaching staffs - it was basketball poetry in motion.

That Game 7 showdown on May 28, 2018 particularly stands out in my memory. The first quarter ended exactly 16-16, which perfectly captured the tension of two heavyweight fighters cautiously feeling each other out. Both teams knew one mistake could cost them everything. I remember watching Curry and Harden trade baskets while thinking how this was basketball at its most cerebral. The defensive intensity from both sides was just remarkable - you could feel the pressure through the screen.

Then came the second quarter where Golden State began pulling away, outscoring Houston 38-25 before halftime. This is where the Warriors' championship DNA really showed. I've always believed that championship teams have these explosive quarters in them, and watching Curry and Durant find their rhythm was simply masterful. The Rockets' defense that had been so disciplined started showing cracks, and Golden State capitalized perfectly. That 13-point swing before halftime ultimately proved decisive, though we didn't know it at the time.

What fascinates me most about analyzing this game is how the Rockets kept fighting despite the mounting deficit. By the end of the third, they'd narrowed the gap slightly to 53-43, showing the resilience that had defined their entire season. Chris Paul's absence loomed large - I'm convinced with him healthy, this series might have ended differently. The Rockets' trademark three-point shooting just wasn't there when they needed it most, going an astonishing 7-for-44 from beyond the arc. In all my years watching basketball, I've rarely seen a team miss so many open looks in such a crucial game.

The final quarter played out to a 69-59 Warriors victory, but the numbers don't capture the sheer drama of those closing minutes. Houston had multiple chances to tie or take the lead, but the basketball gods simply weren't with them that night. I'll never forget watching the Rockets miss 27 consecutive three-point attempts - it was both heartbreaking and historically unprecedented. For Golden State, this victory cemented their legacy as one of the greatest teams ever assembled, while for Houston it became the ultimate "what if" scenario that still haunts their fans today.

Reflecting on this series years later, what strikes me is how it represented a philosophical battle between Houston's analytics-driven approach and Golden State's more fluid, talent-based system. Personally, I've always leaned toward appreciating the Warriors' style - there's something beautiful about seeing such skilled players operating in harmony. This Game 7 wasn't just about reaching the Finals; it was about validation of basketball ideologies. The Warriors went on to sweep Cleveland, but honestly, this Western Conference Finals was the real championship series that year. The intensity, the stakes, the sheer quality of basketball - we may not see its like again for quite some time.