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5 Bold Predictions for Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets in Western Conference Finals

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Bold Predictions for Warriors vs. Rockets

Bold Predictions for Warriors vs. Rockets Getty Images
The matchup has been set for the NBA's Western Conference Finals and what a treat it's going to be for fans. Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors enter as the favorites, but don't count out James Harden, Dwight Howard, and the Rockets. Here are five bold predictions for the series between the Warriors and Rockets.

The matchup has been set for the NBA's Western Conference Finals and what a treat it's going to be for fans. Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors enter as the favorites, but don't count out James Harden, Dwight Howard, and the Rockets. Here are five bold predictions for the series between the Warriors and Rockets.

Klay Thompson Has 20-Point Quarter

Klay Thompson Has 20-Point Quarter Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
There might be only one player on the planet that can get hotter than Thompson and that's his teammate, Stephen Curry. The Splash Brother had a record-breaking 37-point quarter earlier in the year and can put up about 15 points in a row before the other time even knows what hit them. I expect Thompson to have at least one 20-point quarter in the series.

There might be only one player on the planet that can get hotter than Thompson and that's his teammate, Stephen Curry. The Splash Brother had a record-breaking 37-point quarter earlier in the year and can put up about 15 points in a row before the other time even knows what hit them. I expect Thompson to have at least one 20-point quarter in the series.

Dwight Howard Has a 25-20 Game

Dwight Howard Has a 25-20 Game Getty Images
Andrew Bogut, Draymond Green, and the Warriors have an outstanding interior defense, but a healthy Dwight Howard can be impossible to contain. The broad-shouldered center does most of his damage on the offensive glass and with putback dunks. Bogut and Green will get in foul trouble in at least one game and the result is going to be a huge performance by Howard.

Andrew Bogut, Draymond Green, and the Warriors have an outstanding interior defense, but a healthy Dwight Howard can be impossible to contain. The broad-shouldered center does most of his damage on the offensive glass and with putback dunks. Bogut and Green will get in foul trouble in at least one game and the result is going to be a huge performance by Howard.

Draymond Green Records Triple-Double

Draymond Green Records Triple-Double Getty Images
NBA fans know Green is good, but I don't think they realize just how important he is for the Warriors. The "undersized" power forward leads every playoff player in plus/minus. You could make a serious case he's the second-most valuable player for Golden State. There's nothing Green can't do on the court, so I expect him to record a triple-double during the series.

NBA fans know Green is good, but I don't think they realize just how important he is for the Warriors. The "undersized" power forward leads every playoff player in plus/minus. You could make a serious case he's the second-most valuable player for Golden State. There's nothing Green can't do on the court, so I expect him to record a triple-double during the series.

James Harden Has 35-10 Game

James Harden Has 35-10 Game Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
If the Rockets are going to beat the Warriors, they need their Harden to be at his absolute best. Harden is Houston's best scorer and passer, so he constantly has the ball in his hands. You know the bearded left-hander will have at least one monster game, so expect a 35-point, 10-assist performance from the man who finished second to Curry in MVP voting.

If the Rockets are going to beat the Warriors, they need their Harden to be at his absolute best. Harden is Houston's best scorer and passer, so he constantly has the ball in his hands. You know the bearded left-hander will have at least one monster game, so expect a 35-point, 10-assist performance from the man who finished second to Curry in MVP voting.

Warriors Win In 6 Games

Warriors Win In 6 Games Getty Images
The Rockets are red hot and playing some of their best basketball of the year, but I think the Warriors will simply be too much for them to overcome. Corey Brewer and Josh Smith are playing at an extremely-high level, so I also wouldn't be surprised if this series went the distance and returned to Oracle Arena for a Game 7. In the end, Curry and the Warriors advance to their first NBA Finals since 1976.

The Rockets are red hot and playing some of their best basketball of the year, but I think the Warriors will simply be too much for them to overcome. Corey Brewer and Josh Smith are playing at an extremely-high level, so I also wouldn't be surprised if this series went the distance and returned to Oracle Arena for a Game 7. In the end, Curry and the Warriors advance to their first NBA Finals since 1976.

Seth Lassen is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.
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