When and where Rockets play in 2018 Western Conference Finals

HOUSTON – The Rockets will meet Golden State after the Warriors closed out their series against the New Orleans Pelicans Tuesday night. Top-seeded Houston will host the series opener Monday night.

It will be Houston's second trip to the Western Conference finals in four years and the first for point guard Chris Paul. 

Paul had been in the conference semifinals four other times before finally getting over the hump this season.

Houston lost to the Warriors 4-1 when they last reached the conference finals in 2015. They believe they're much better suited to match up with Golden State this time around but know it won't be easy to dethrone the defending champions.

"They've been built to beat everybody," general manager Daryl Morey said. "They're going to be a tough matchup. We'll have to bring our A-plus game and I think our guys are ready."

Houston is in the conference finals for the seventh time in franchise history and looking to win its first title since taking back-to-back championships in 1994-95.

Houston fans have no doubt the Rockets can beat the Warriors.

"We are going to beat ‘em. We are going to beat Golden State to death here in Houston and in Golden State.  Mark my words, we're going do it," said one fan.

"The game was awesome. The Rockets are going beat the Golden State Warriors. They got a puncher’s chance. More than a puncher’s chance, actually," said another fan. "If you (are) a real Rockets fan, like when Olajuwon and Drexler was there, then you're ready for this time, because it’s time!"

Here's when the Rockets will face the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals (home games in bold):

• Game 1- Mon., May 14 at 8 p.m. at Houston
• Game 2- Wed., May 16 at 8 p.m. at Houston
• Game 3- Sun., May 20 at 7 p.m. at Golden State
• Game 4- Tues., May 22 at  8 p.m. at Golden State
• *Game 5- Thurs., May 24 at 8 p.m. at Houston
• *Game 6- Sat., May 26 at 8 p.m. at Golden State
• *Game 7- Mon., May 28 at 8 p.m. at Houston

*if necessary

Here are some other key dates on the NBA schedule.

While the Rockets briefly celebrated the victory over the Jazz, they said they are focused on the next round.

“I know that if we give the effort, I know we can, it’s pretty tough to beat us," James Harden said.

Before hitting the court, the Rockets and Warriors engaged in little battle on social media Wednesday.