SAN FRANCISCO - After the chance to end the series for the second straight series, the Golden State Warriors still have confidence on Saturday, despite having to play Game 7 to keep their season alive.

Houston shocked the Warriors in the fourth quarter with a suffocating defense at the Chase Center and even shocked the series 3-3 with a 115-107 victory on Friday night.

"So we're going to win together," said Golden State star Jimmy Butler. "I know we're going to win on Sunday.

"We're fine. We're smiling. We're listening to music and celebrating life. We're ready to compete. We're ready to compete tonight. Nothing goes away.

The Warriors expressed confidence because of their advantages in their playoff experience, especially their Game 7 experience. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green competed in five of these games, playing 3-2. Their last game was in 2023, when Golden State won the first round series 120-100 in Sacramento.

Curry scored 50 points in that victory. ESPN Research said he averaged 32.6 points in Game 7 of his career, the fourth place in all players in NBA history. Curry has only Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

Butler played four games in seven games, which was 2-2.

By comparison, Houston's Jeff Green, Steven Adams, Fred Vanvleet and Aaron Holiday were in 10 games 7.

"Together is not a problem," said Golden State head coach Steve Kerr. "This team has been connected and has done everything." There is no doubt that the frustration was going tonight. I can see it. Body language. We cannot have it. We couldn't afford it in Game 7.

"We have to be the whole process. I love our opportunity. I've seen what this group can do over the years. We've been in a lot of games and have had a lot of success. Jimmy Butler is Jimmy Butler. He's been in all these games. He's in all these games. He's one of the league's partners, so we'll be ready. We'll be ready.

Just four days ago, the Warriors celebrated the clutch victory in Game 4, which gave them a 3-1 lead that felt like a bondage to this first-round series. But Houston’s defense, especially its area, has suffocated Golden State in the last two games.

Houston blows two points at the start of Game 4. Vanvleet's three-pointer, a four-pointer free throw of six seconds, shot 20-5 in the final quarter. The Warriors missed 14 of their first 15 shots while trapped in the Houston area, while the remaining 4:40 hit 17 shots.

ESPN studies show that Golden State hits 30-30 against the Houston area.

"There's a reason they're going to play one area for almost the entire area," Curry said, who made 9 of 23 shots, scored 29 points and seven rebounds. "They are trying to force some type of shooting. I probably spent four intense deep 3s just to try us.

"If they're going to do that and they're going to play the area and have some people shoot it, then that's how we talk about the whole season, the regular season, the playoffs. … If you have a shot, shoot it. … You're there... … … … … … … .”

Butler scored 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists - saying he had to be more aggressive on the board and that the team needed to get more 50-50 goals.

The Warriors will have to do this in a hostile environment at the Toyota Center.

Still, the Warriors knew they could win there like they did in Game 1, 95-85. They will rely heavily on their Game 7 experience. Butler said the team has lost confidence in the past two games.

Butler described the Warriors' confidence. "Now, it's always a win or a home. It's not shaken. We know how good our team is. Several of us have been here many times. Make sure we're done."

Green describes the game as "funny." Curry said he looks forward to playing in another game and has a chance to play the Minnesota Timberwolves next week.

"If you don't show up with this proper mindset, you'll have a long vacation ahead," Curry said. "You know you don't want to be a packed team.

"We packed a week to Texas and go to Texas and hopefully to go to Minnesota after that. That's the way. I know that even though these two games haven't gone through, we're still excited about the fact that we still have life."