Warriors advanced to Game 7, but their confidence "has not wavered."

SAN FRANCISCO -- After blowing a chance to close out the series for the second straight time, the Golden State Warriors head to Houston on Saturday remaining confident despite having to play a Game 7 to keep their season alive.

Houston beat the Warriors 115-107 on Friday to even the series at 3-3 with stifling defense in the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Jimmy Butler, a star player for Golden State, said, "So we're going to win together, and we're going to lose together." "I am aware that we will unquestionably win on Sunday." "We're fine. We are beaming. We're savoring life by listening to our music. We are prepared to contend. We were prepared for this competition. We didn't get what we wanted. OK, we're going to be ready to compete on Sunday. We will direct the game in our favor. 2025 NBA Playoffs

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• Information: schedule, scores, highlights, and news The Warriors' advantage in playoff experience, particularly their Game 7 experience, gives them confidence. Drayman Green and Stephen Curry have combined for a 3-2 record in five of these "do or die" games. Their last Game 7 came in 2023 when Golden State won at Sacramento 120-100 to take that first-round series.

Curry scored 50 points in that victory. He has averaged 32.6 points in Game 7s in his career, fourth most by any player in NBA history, according to ESPN Research. Curry is only behind LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Michael Jordan. Butler has played in four Game 7s and is 2-2.

By comparison, Houston's Jeff Green, Steven Adams, Fred Valet and Aaron Holiday have played in a combined 10 Game 7s.

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, who is 3-1 in Game 7s as a head coach, said, "Staying together will not be an issue." "This team has been connected and has been through everything. There's no question the frustration tonight set in. It was visible to me. The body language. We cannot have that. In Game 7, we cannot afford that. "We must maintain our tightness throughout. I like our opportunities. Over the years, I've seen what this group can do. We have participated in numerous Game 7s and won numerous games. Jimmy Butler is who he is. He's been in all of these games. He's one of the clutch performers in the league, so ... we'll get ready. We'll regroup, be ready to roll."

The Warriors were savoring a crucial victory in Game 4 just four days earlier, giving them a 3-1 lead that appeared to be a stranglehold on this first-round series. However, Golden State has been suffocated for periods of time in the last two games by Houston's defense, particularly its zone. Houston blew open a two-point game at the start of the fourth. Valet’s 3-pointer with a foul for a four-point play six seconds into the final quarter sparked a 20-5 run. As Houston's zone stifled their offense, the Warriors missed 14 of their first 15 shots, putting them 17 down with 4:40 left. ESPN Research indicates that Golden State shot 13-for-30 against the Houston zone. "There's a reason they're playing a zone for a whole half pretty much," said Curry, who shot 9-for-23 and had 29 points and seven rebounds. "They are attempting to force a particular kind of shot. I took probably four heavily contested deep 3s just to try to will us.

"If they're going to do this and they're going to play zone and make certain guys shoot it, then it's the same way we talk about all season long, regular season, playoffs. ... If you have a chance, use it. Since you are out there, act aggressively. Try to find your shot. We'll live with it."

Butler, who had 27 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, said that the team needed to get to more 50/50 balls and that he needed to be more aggressive on the boards. That is what the Warriors will have to do in the hostile Toyota Center, where they were beaten in Game 5 Wednesday's Warriors starters fell behind by as much as 31 points early in the third quarter. Still, the Warriors know they can win there as they did in Game 1, 95-85. Additionally, they will rely heavily on their Game 7 knowledge. Butler says the team's confidence isn't rattled by losing these past two games.

Butler referred to the Warriors' confidence as "all-time high." "Now, out of all times, it's win or go home. It's not wavering. We are aware of our team's strength. There are a few of us who have been here before. It is our responsibility to carry it out." Green described Game 7s as being "fun." Curry said he is looking forward to playing in another one for a chance to advance to play the Minnesota Timberwolves next week.

Curry stated, "You got a long vacation ahead of you if you don't show up with that appropriate mentality." "You are aware that you do not want to be the team that is leaving. "We're packing for a week getting on this plane to go to Texas and hopefully go to Minnesota right after. That's the approach. Even though these last two games didn't go our way, I'm sure we're all happy that we still have life.