Gordon cameo adds fuel for the Rockets
Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 24 points and his steal on Golden State’s last possession secured a 98-94 victory yesterday that gave the Houston Rockets a 3-2 lead in the NBA Western Conference finals.
The Rockets head into game six tomorrow in Oakland, California, one win away from knocking off the defending champions and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 1994-95.
Chris Paul scored 20 points and James Harden struggled for his 19, but Paul had to leave the game in the final minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Kevin Durant scored 29 points for the Warriors, who lost in game five of a playoff series for just the second time since 2015.
The Rockets won a second straight defensive struggle between the two potent offences, leaving the Warriors a defeat from missing the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
‘‘We had to rely on our defence once again,’’ Harden said. ‘‘Game four, we weren’t making shots but defensively we were really good. Same thing tonight.’’
Draymond Green made a three-pointer with just over minute left to get Golden State within one. Harden, who was nought for 11 on threes, missed his last one with less than 30 seconds left, giving the Warriors the ball back.
Stephen Curry missed a floater and Trevor Ariza grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 10 seconds left. But he made just one of two free throws to give the Warriors another chance.
But Gordon came up with his steal when Green lost control in the lane and added two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to put it away.
Klay Thompson shook off a knee injury that had his status for this game in question to score 23 points and Curry added 22. A bruised left knee kept Andre Iguodala out for the second straight game, and Kevon Looney started in his place.
After losing game one of the series, the Rockets made the best of home-court advantage this time, thrilling a sellout crowd that included Justin Timberlake, Houston Texans star JJ Watt and rapper Travis Scott.
It’s Houston’s second straight win in the series after snapping Golden State’s NBA playoff-record, 16-game home winning streak with a 95-92 victory on Wednesday NZT.