NBA Playoffs

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 22: Trevor Ariza #1, PJ Tucker #4, James Harden #13, Chris Paul #3, and Eric Gordon #10 look on in the 4th quarter during Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 20, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Rockets fell short, but proved they were far from pretenders

Playoff Diaries: Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals

What did we learn from the Warriors escaping the Rockets?

The Rockets missed 27 consecutive 3s, and Twitter had takes

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 28: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second half of Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on May 28, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Warriors finish off the Rockets in tight Game 7: 3 takeaways

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 24: Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBA Playoffs 2018: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Game 7 live stream: Watch online

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

LeBron James was so tired he laid on the floor during the trophy presentation

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

LeBron James, thirst is everything

BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James passes the ball as Boston Celtics Marcus Morris defends as James drives in the lane during third quarter action. The Boston Celtics hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game One of their NBA Eastern Conference Final Playoff series at TD Garden in Boston on May 13, 2018. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

NBA Playoffs 2018: Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 7 live stream: Watch online

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 24: Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets looks on in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Who the Rockets play in place of Chris Paul will tell us how they want to play

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 24: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts late in the fourth quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on May 24, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Warriors’ sloppiness catching up to them against physical Rockets

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 24: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBA Playoffs 2018: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Game 6 live stream: Watch online

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

NBA Twitter explodes to LeBron James going off down the stretch

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Cavaliers avoid elimination, force a Game 7 against the Celtics: 3 takeaways

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets looks on in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Can the Rockets win Game 6 without Chris Paul?

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 21: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics defends LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 21, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBA Playoffs 2018: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 6 live stream: Watch online

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Rockets squeeze Warriors late to win Game 5: 3 takeaways

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chris Paul suffers injury in the final moments of Game 5

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the second half against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

How Semi Ojeleye ruined the Cavaliers’ game plan

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 22: Jordan Clarkson #8 and Larry Nance Jr. #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers enter the game for the first time on their new home court at Quicken Loans Arena during the first half against the Washington Wizards on February 22, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Cavaliers need Larry Nance and Jordan Clarkson

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 16: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the second half during Game Two of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

NBA Playoffs 2018: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Game 5 live stream: Watch online

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics gestures in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Celtics stifle the Cavaliers in Game 5 rock-fight: 3 takeaways

BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Boston Celtics Terry Rozier III, (12) Marcus Morris (13) and Jayson Tatum (0) celebrate after Rozier III hit a shot that made the score 96-68, and forced the Cavaliers to call a fourth quarter timeout. Cleveland's LeBron James is in the backGround at far right. The Boston Celtics hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game One of their NBA Eastern Conference Final Playoff series at TD Garden in Boston on May 13, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Celtics and Cavaliers get chippy early in Game 5

What adjustments are left for the Celtics to make?

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 21: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 21, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

LeBron’s heroics help Cavs even up Conference Finals

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors defends James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during Game One of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBA Playoffs 2018: Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Game 4 live stream: Watch online

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 29: PJ Tucker #4 of the Houston Rockets speaks to the media after Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

Power ranking P.J. Tucker’s five best playoff outfits

TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the second half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Over and Back: LeBron James’ best and worst playoff games