Warriors force Game 7

Golden State steps on accelerator after slow start to Game 6

OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State’s quest for a repeat championship remains intact.

An awful start was followed by three quarters of utter dominance, spot-on shot-making and beautiful defense — even against one of the game’s greatest and hardest to stop in James Harden.

The ups and downs are still perplexing to coach Steve Kerr.

“I have no clue why our team is like this,” Kerr said. “It’s kind of what we do.”

They might be able to do it all the way to a fourth straight NBA Finals.

Klay Thompson knocked down nine 3-pointers on the way to 35 points, the Warriors held Harden down in the second half, and Golden State rallied from an early 17-point deficit to stave off elimination with a 115-86 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night to force a deciding Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals.

“I guess you could say I was born for it. Man, that felt good,” Thompson said.

Stephen Curry added 29 points and five 3s on a night Harden dazzled for long stretches with 32 points, nine assists and seven rebounds while backcourt mate Chris Paul sat out, sidelined by a strained right hamstring.

Kevin Durant struggled with his stroke at 6 for 17 but still scored 23 points as the defending champions kept their repeat quest alive by thoroughly outplaying Houston in the second half. The Warriors outscored the Rockets 55-20 in the second half before both coaches subbed their key players with 4:28 left.

A dynamic, star-studded series projected to be as captivating and compelling as the NBA Finals is going the distance. Game 7 is Monday night back in Houston.

Marcio Jose Sanchez The Associated Press Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry skies for a layup against the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors forced a deciding Game 7 with a 115-86 victory.