Warriors, Rockets play Game 7 tonight to decide West champs

OAKLAND, CALIF. — An awful start 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. That’s the way it’s been for the up-anddown, uber-talented Warriors, who leave even their coach perplexed.

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

They can still 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. 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 actual NBA Finals is going the distance. Game 7 is tonight back in Houston.

“We just didn’t want to go out like that,” Thompson said, “we wanted to force Game 7 so badly.”

Golden State stymied Harden on consecutive possessions early in the fourth with smothering defense led by Nick Young and several helpers, then Thompson hit a 3-pointer from the left wing at 9:40 for an 89-77 lead. And roaring Oracle Arena went crazy with hopes of even more home games to come if Golden State can get to a fourth straight finals.

The Warriors outscored Houston 93-47 over the final three quarters. Golden State did it without forward Andre Iguodala, who missed his third straight game of the series with a bone bruise in his left knee sustained in Game 3.

THEARON W. HENDERSON / GETTY IMAGES Klay Thompson of the Warriors reacts after a play during his 35-point performance against the Rockets in Game 6. Thompson made 9 of 14 from 3-point range during the 115-86 win.