For Rockets, out of the frying pan into the fire

The celebration couldn't last long.

Yes, the Rockets won three games in a row to finish the regular season.

Yes, they made it to the postseason with odds stacked against them.

But waiting for them in the playoffs is the NBA's best team.

With their 116-81 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night at Toyota Center, the Rockets (41-41) clinched the eighth seed in the Western Conference and will face the defending champion Golden State Warriors (73-9).

"They're the champs; they're the best team right now," Rockets guard Pat Beverley said. "It will be a challenge, but we're excited."

The Rockets will start their postseason where it left off last season - at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

The series will be familiar - the teams have the same groups of core players, each boasting one of the best scorers in the NBA in the Rockets' James Harden and the Warriors' Stephen Curry - but a lot has changed since Golden State defeated the Rockets in the playoffs last season. Last year, the Warriors were No. 1 in the Western Conference, the Rockets No. 2, and the two met in the Western Conference finals.

This year, the Rockets sneaked into the playoffs in the eighth spot and the Warriors had the best regular season in NBA history after claiming their 73rd win Wednesday night in the season finale against Memphis.

More Information Schedule G1: at Golden St. 2:30 Sat. G2: at Golden St. 9:30 Mon. G3: at Houston 8:30 Thu. G4: at Houston 2:30 April 24 G5*: at Golden St. TBD April 27 G6*: at Houston TBD April 29 G7*: at Golden St. TBD May 1 * - if necessary

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Steve Kerr remains at the Warriors' helm, but Kevin McHale - who coached the Rockets to the Western Conference finals last season - has been out of Houston since November, when he was fired after 11 games.

Kerr sported Scottie Pippen socks while coaching his team to the record-breaking win on Wednesday night; McHale was honored in Boston along with other former Celtics during halftime of the Boston-Miami game.

"Last year was last year," Rockets guard Jason Terry said. "We can take some things we learned and use them, though. But we know this will be tough."

The key for the Rockets as they head into the first round against a team heavily favored to win its second straight NBA title is preparation, said Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

"They've got multiple guys that can shoot from deep, so they spread out your defense," he said. "I think they are one of the most prolific offenses I think we've seen in a long time. Defensively, they're stout, too.

"But we'll prepare for it, and we will be ready to go."

The Rockets know the task is tough. No one in the locker room is denying that, but they believe they have a chance.

"If you are in the postseason and don't feel like you have the opportunity to get a ring, there is no reason for you to be there," forward Josh Smith said. "We understand who we are playing and what we are up against. We know it will be a challenge, but that's why you play."

When the Rockets hit the floor in Oakland for Game 1, they will go in with nothing to lose and a belief they have a shot at upending Golden State. In the history of the NBA, a No. 8 seed has knocked out a No. 1 five times.

"I think the most important thing is that when you try to do something special, you have to come together at the right time, and I think the time is now," Terry said. "What we went through the entire season will be all forgotten if we can come together right now and do something special and I think this group has a run in them. Why couldn't we?

"We haven't done much all season. If we are going to, the time is now."