After the Houston Rockets forced a Game 7 on Friday, Jimmy Butler is confident that the Golden State Warriors believe they will emerge victorious in their first-round series. Despite initially trailing 3-1, the Rockets staged a comeback in Games 5 and 6, securing a 115-107 win on Friday with Fred VanVleet scoring 29 points. The pivotal Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night in Houston.
When questioned about the Warriors’ mindset following two consecutive losses and the failure to close out the series, Butler affirmed that their confidence is “at an all-time high.” Drawing on his experience of participating in four Game 7 matchups, Butler emphasized the team’s unwavering belief in their abilities, stating, “We know how good of a team we are.”
In their quest to advance, Butler contributed 27 points and nine rebounds in the Warriors’ defeat, while Stephen Curry led with 29 points. Butler, having been acquired by the Warriors from the Miami Heat, guided them to a seventh seed finish and a 48-34 record in his first season. The team secured the first-round matchup against the Rockets by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In Tournament.
Looking ahead to the decisive Game 7, Butler underscored its significance, particularly as they face a must-win situation on the road in Houston. Curry echoed Butler’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of approaching Game 7 with the right mentality. The winner of the Game 7 showdown will move on to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals.
The highly anticipated Game 7 is slated to commence at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Toyota Center on Sunday. Both teams are gearing up for a fiercely competitive battle with a spot in the next round at stake.
