The Warriors dominated Game 3 behind a return to form for Stephen Curry. And after the first few minutes it looked like we were in for another blowout, as the Warriors jumped out to a 12-0 lead. But that just turned out to be foreshadowing that this would be a game of runs, as each team went back and forth in taking control of the game. Both teams had a double-digit lead at one point, but for the first time in these conference finals, a game went down to the wire.
Down by two in the closing seconds, the Warriors had a chance to tie or take the lead, but couldn't get a shot to go. It appeared that would be the end of the game, but the Warriors fouled Chris Paul with 0.5 seconds left, and after he missed one of the free throws, Golden State had yet another chance. Somehow, Curry got wide open, but his shot clanked off the rim at the buzzer. And with that the Rockets escaped with a 95-92 win to tie the series at 2-2.
James Harden finished with 30 points to lead the Rockets, while Chris Paul finished with 26. Curry led the Warriors with 28 points, while Kevin Durant added 27 points and 12 rebounds.
NBA scores for Tuesday, May 22
Game 4: Rockets 95, Warriors 92 (Box Score)
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Game 4: Rockets 95, Warriors 92
The Warriors jumped out to a big lead early in Game 4, starting the game on a 12-0 run. Steph Curry's third quarter in Game 3 did not appear to be an aberration. Houston did eventually remember how to play basketball, but they still trailed by nine at the end of the first 12 minutes.
Kevin Durant from downtown!
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2018
12-0 @warriors start on @NBAonTNT #DubNation pic.twitter.com/w7E7uF56dZ
Steph up high off the glass... AND-1!#DubNation 21 | #Rockets 12
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2018
📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/7C5A0n8xry
But the second quarter was a different story as the Rockets quickly got back into the game, and used a late-quarter surge to completely flip the script on the Warriors. They led by seven points heading into the break. James Harden's rim-rocking poster on Draymond Green was the play of the quarter. Klay Thompson also had to go to the locker room for a few minutes with a knee injury, but managed to return to the court.
😳 JAMES. HARDEN. HAMMER. 😳#Rockets #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/EQJYxU9UMY
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2018
Unfortunately for the Rockets, they once again fell victim to one of the Warriors' vaunted third-quarter runs. Curry caught fire again, rattling off 11 straight points of his own at one point, and the Warriors reversed things once again to take a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Back-to-back treys & Steph is heating up! 🔥🔥@warriors go in front 63-62 on @NBAonTNT #DubNation pic.twitter.com/j7nT76vUD7
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2018
Give it up, relocate, SPLASH!
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2018
Curry is up to 14 PTS in the 3rd on @NBAonTNT #DubNation pic.twitter.com/pWk3S1YOPb
But the Rockets showed great resolve in the fourth quarter, using a 9-0 run early in the frame to get back into the contest. They eventually took the lead, and managed to hold on in the final few minutes to secure a vital win and tie the series at 2-2.
Chris Paul stops, pops and gets the roll!
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2018
9-0 @HoustonRockets sprint on @NBAonTNT #Rockets 79 | #DubNation 82 pic.twitter.com/LPpqJSnDvn
Harden led the way with 30 points for the Rockets.