The Houston Rockets had a golden opportunity to extend their season at home Friday night against a shorthanded Warriors team without Kevin Durant, but for the second consecutive year, Houston came up short in their own building in a must-win game against Golden State.
The Rockets led by seven points in the fourth quarter, but the duo of Klay Thompson and Steph Curry delivered in the clutch, combining to score 19 points in the final 3:09 of the game. Curry scored all 33 of his points in the second half after getting into early foul trouble. James Harden, meanwhile, made two costly mistakes that cost the Rockets possessions. After cutting the Warriors’ lead to two points with a stepback three, Harden committed an offensive foul near midcourt on Houston’s next possession, needlessly shoving Draymond Green, who seemed to be intent on baiting Harden into a foul. Moments later, after Curry hit a three to put the Warriors up five, Harden’s inbound pass was intercepted.
Klay Thompson, who finished the game with 27 points, hit a dagger three to put the Warriors up 110-104 with 36 seconds remaining, and Curry closed out the game from the free throw line to send Golden State to the Western Conference Finals.
