Gordon helps Rockets gain upper hand in West
HOUSTON — Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 24 points, and his steal on the Warriors’ last possession secured a 98-94 victory for the Rockets on Thursday night that gave them a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.
The Rockets head into Game 6 on Saturday night in Oakland one win away from knocking off the defending champs and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning back-toback 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 5 of a playoff series for just the second time since 2015.
The Rockets 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.
“We had to rely on our defense once again,” Harden said. “Game 4, we weren’t making shots but defensively we were really good. Same thing tonight.”
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.
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.
However, Gordon came up with his steal when Green lost control in the lane and then added two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to put it away.
Klay Thompson shook off a knee injury that had his status 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 1 of the series, the Rockets made the best of home-court advantage this time, thrilling a sellout crowd that included Justin Timberlake, Texans star J.J. Watt and rapper Travis Scott.
The Warriors led by one to start the fourth quarter before Paul got going, scoring seven points to power a 10-5 run that gave the Rockets an 81-77 lead with about 91⁄2 minutes left.
Thompson made a 3pointer after that and then officials reviewed Paul’s first basket of the quarter. They ruled he got it off after the shot clock had expired, leaving the Warriors ahead 80-79.
The Rockets were clinging to a one-point lead with about seven minutes left when Durant fouled Gordon on a 3-point attempt, losing one of his shoes in the process. Gordon made all three free throws to start a 7-2 spurt that extended the lead to 88-82 midway through the quarter.