A rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals matchup will happen Thursday when defending champions the Golden State Warriors host the Houston Rockets at the Oracle Arena.
The game takes place a few days after Rockets guard James Harden claimed that he should have been the 2014–15 season's Most Valuable Player (MVP), an award that the Warriors' Stephen Curry won.
Last season the Warriors eliminated the Rockets in five games in the conference finals to advance to the championship series and win the title over the Cleveland Cavaliers to end a 40-year championship drought.
The Warriors are currently on a two-game losing slide in the preseason with their most recent setback suffered against the Denver Nuggets (114–103).
Leading the way for the Dubs in the defeat was veteran guard Leandro Barbosa who had 16 points. Helping him was forward Draymond Green who tallied 15 points, together with nine rebounds and two blocks. Reigning MVP, Curry, also added 14 points, one rebound, seven assists, and one steal in the loss.
Meanwhile, the Rockets are coming off a 135–129 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns in their most recent preseason game Tuesday.
Forward Terrence Jones led Houston with 23 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Guard Corey Brewer provided an all-around performance for the Rockets, recording 21 points, three rebounds, three assists, and seven steals.
Center Clint Capela, who is starting in place of Dwight Howard, again had a monster game scoring 12 points while also grabbing 10 boards.
Harden and Howard, two of the team's best players, did not play against the Suns due to their injuries. The 26-year-old Harden sat out because of a knee contusion suffered in their third preseason game against the Orlando Magic while Howard has a lower back injury.
The game between rivals the Warriors and Rockets will be take place today, Oct. 15, at 10 p.m. EST. To watch via live stream, click here.
