HOU’ BETCHA
ROCKETS NIP WARRIORS, GRAB 3-2 SERIES LEAD
HOUSTON — Chris Paul’s grit and veteran leadership have pushed the Warriors to the brink of elimination. Now the Rockets must wait to see if Paul’s injured leg is strong enough to help them take one last step to the NBA Finals.
Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 24 points and his steal on Golden State’s last possession secured a 98-94 victory Thursday night that gave the Rockets a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals. But the victory came with a cost, as Paul had to leave the game in the final minute with a right hamstring injury that could keep him out of Game 6.
“His spirits aren’t great,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He wanted to be out there, and for sure he’s worried ... we’ll see tomorrow how it goes.”
Paul was receiving treatment after the game and did not speak to reporters. D’Antoni said he would be evaluated Friday.
The Rockets head to Oakland, Calif., for Game 6 on Saturday night a win away from knocking off the defending champions and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning backto-back titles in 1994-95.
Kevin Durant scored 29 points for the Warriors, who lost in Game 5 of a playoff series for just the second time since 2015. Just like for Cleveland in the East, a run of three straight trips to the championship round is on the verge of ending for Golden State.
“We haven’t been in this position before, “said Stephen Curry, who scored 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting, “so it’s a chapter we need to figure out and finish the story.”
The Rockets, after snapping Golden State’s NBA playoff-record 16-game home winning streak Tuesday, won a second straight defensive struggle between the two potent offenses, leaving the Warriors a loss from missing the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
Draymond Green made a 3- pointer with just over minute left to get the Warriors within one. Harden, who was 0 for 11 on 3s, missed his last one with less than 30 seconds left, giving the Warriors the ball back.
Curry missed a floater and Houston’s 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.
Green was asked what was supposed to happen on the play.
“We was supposed to score,” Green said. “I lost the ball ... not much more to it than that.”
Harden scoffed at a reporter who questioned him about his struggles from long range in the past two games, in which he went a combined 3-for-22.
“Who cares,” he said. “I’m just missing shots, but we’re winning.”
Klay Thompson shook off a knee injury that had his status for this game in question to score 23 points. A bruised left knee kept Andre Iguodala out for the second straight game, and Kevon Looney started in his place.
Coach Steve Kerr said he was unsure if Iguodala would be able to return for Game 6.
“He’s dying to play, but he’s not healthy enough,” Kerr said.