If you had told someone who had watched Games 5 and 6 of the Warriors-Rockets first-round series that in Game 7, on the road, that Golden State would be up by 12 at halftime with Stephen Curry having just three points,

Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) picks up forward Jimmy Butler III (10) after a play against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images After Hield was heroic during the Warriors' Game 7 win over the Houston Rockets—leading the team with 33 points—Butler couldn't avoid being nice to Hield anymore.

When the Warriors needed it most, Buddy Hield delivered a career night to defeat Houston and send Golden State into the second round.