Fabulous five : NBA Finals Countdown
TweetTHE tally of wins necessary for Australia to again boast an NBA champion is now five following Golden State's 99-98 survival today against Houston.
It means the Warriors (and Andrew Bogut) now are 2-0 and need just two more wins to advance past the Western Conference Final and into the NBA Championship series.
Meanwhile the Cleveland Cavaliers (and Matty Dellavedova), who play Atlanta tomorrow in the Eastern Final's Game 2, have a 1-0 lead and need just three more wins to advance.
But enough about what might yet be and more about what is - and that is the Stephen Curry/James Harden sideshow in the Western Final is something to behold.
The players who finished #1 and #2 in MVP voting, both hit 13-of-21 shots and some of them were beyond belief.
Harden's stat line of 38 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists was pretty imposing but in the end, it was his turnover that mattered most.
Curry and Klay Thompson double-teamed him to prevent him getting off a potential game-winner and, for once, the "Splash Brothers" were lauded for their defence!
Who saw THAT coming?
Curry had 33 points and six assists, Andrew Bogut stepping up with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists an five substantial blocks while still in the throes of the same flu which nobbled his Game 1 performance.
Dwight Howard also made it back on-court with 19 points and 17 boards, the Rockets showing amazing heart after Golden State led by as many as 17 during the second quarter at its deafening Oracle Arena.
Andre Iguodala threw down a breath-taking dunk, Harrison Barnes with a three that made it 49-32 early in the second period.
But before the procession could get into full swing, Houston hit back, Harden and Howard huge, the latter's dunk tying it 55-55 by halftime.
From there it was a battle, Golden State pulling away slightly before the Rockets hit back to go within a beard's hair of the series being tied 1-1.
Signs All Is Right With the World:
"Sometimes I want to crack open a beer and get a courtside seat. These two guys are the two best basketball players in the world."
Warriors centre Andrew Bogut showing he is very much an Aussie after being asked about the Curry-Harden match-up.