Brilliant Curry steals show

STEPHEN Curry scored all 33 of his points in the second half as Golden State shook off the absence of Kevin Durant to beat Houston 118-113 and advance to the Western Conference finals.

The two-time defending champions punched their ticket to the NBA’s final four for the fifth consecutive season and eliminated the Rockets from the postseason for the fourth time in five years.

“We knew at some point we would have a chance to steal this game and we did,” said Curry, who played with a dislocated finger on his left hand.

The Warriors clinched the series in six games by reverting to their championship form pre-Durant, who was injured in game five.

Australian Andrew Bogut was promoted to the starting line up and provided 11 solid minutes.