Former nemesis Warriors, Rockets clash

During one five-year stretch last decade, the teams squared off four times in the playoffs.

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The Warriors won each series, including preventing the Rockets from advancing to the NBA Finals in 2015 and 2018 by taking the Western Conference Finals in five and seven games, respectively.

After spending four seasons in standings purgatory, the Rockets emerged this campaign and surprised the NBA by earning the second seed in the West. As a reward, Houston drew their nemesis — No.7 seed Golden State — as their first-round opponent, with game one of that best-of-seven series set for this morning (Thai time).

"This ain't that team and that ain't that team," Rockets guard Fred VanVleet said. "It's a new year. With the acquisition they made at the deadline [Jimmy Butler], obviously, they've been on a heater. They're one of the best teams in the league over the last few months. We understand that.

"Respect your opponent. You've got to go out there and lace them up."