SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — The Houston Rockets rode a crushing fourth quarter to a 115-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday to set up a game-seven showdown in their National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference playoff series.
The Rockets will be trying to become just the 14th team to rally from 3-1 down to win an NBA playoff series when they host game seven on Sunday.
Fred VanVleet scored 29 points and Alperen Sengun added 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, who led most of the game and silenced an 18,000-strong crowd at the Warriors’ Chase Center arena with an explosive fourth quarter — putting together a 12-0 scoring run in the final frame to push their lead to as many as 17.
Amen Thompson added 14 points for Houston and veteran New Zealand big man Steven Adams added 17 points off the bench, connecting on four of four from the floor while providing a formidable defensive presence.
Adams had three of Houston’s five blocked shots as the Rockets kept the Warriors’ potent offense led by Stephen Curry in check.
Curry scored 29 points, but he connected on just nine of 23 shots from the field and coughed up five turnovers.
Jimmy Butler added 27 points but no other Warriors starter scored in double figures.