But mostly, Buddy Hield played the game of his professional life. Hield poured in six 3-pointers en route to 22 first-half points, accounting for nearly 50% of Golden State's offense through the first two quarters and what could only be described as a sigh-of-relief halftime margin.

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.

The Golden State Warriors advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals with a 103-89 victory over the scrappy Houston Rockets.