Rockets force Game 5 behind Harden’s 45

MANILA, Philippines – The Houston Rockets avoided a sweep and forced a Game 5 in the Western Conference Finals by defeating the Golden State Warriors, 128-115, on Tuesday, May 26 (Monday, May 25 in the US) at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 

James Harden made up for his lackluster performance in Game 3 by finishing with 45 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, leading his team to its first win against the Warriors this season. 

Golden State was led by Draymond Green who finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks but fouled out late in the fourth period. 

League MVP Steph Curry, who scored 40 in Game 3, finished with 23 points on 7-of-18 shooting after returning from a scary head contusion he suffered late in the second quarter. 

Curry returned in the latter minutes of the third period and helped spearhead a Warriors run that trimmed Houston’s deficit to 6, 104-98, but a personal 7-0 run by Harden a few minutes later essentially sealed the win for Houston. – Rappler.com