Rockets edge Warriors in Game 3

Posted: April 22, 2016 -- 12:56 am CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- James Harden saved the Houston Rockets from a crushing defeat with a beautiful step back jump shot with 2.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Rockets a thrilling 97-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

"We didn't have any timeouts; so, just trying to grab the ball; serve it; see what I had available and wanted to shoot the best shot available," Harden said. "Iguodala kind of cut me off with my left hand; and, I just went into my move.

"For me, I strive in moments like this; so, you just have to have confidence."

The Rockets played an exceptional first quarter and led the Warriors 31-18 after the first 12 minutes.

"You can tell by the way we played. We were playing with a purpose," JB Bickerstaff said after the game. Our pace was great. Our movement was great. We were attacking. We were dominant in the paint in that first quarter; and, we missed a bunch of bunnies, too. We were getting to our spots; putting the pressure on them. I think that's the way we have to continue to play."

However, Golden State's Marreese Speights scored 14 points in the second quarter -- in 8 minutes -- to help the Warriors outscore the Rockets 30-24 and trim the Rockets' halftime lead to 55-48.

Both teams struggled to score early in the third period; however, leading by just six points (60-54), the Rockets made 4 of their next 6 field goals and led 70-56 after a Dwight Howard alley-oop slam dunk.

The Rockets led 72-60 with 4:21 remaining in the quarter; but, Speights (again) kept the Warriors close with 6 of the Warriors' final 12 points to slice the Rockets' lead to 78-72 heading to the fourth quarter.

Golden State's Shaun Livingston scored six straight points during an 8-3 Warriors' run to reduce the Rockets' lead to 81-80. But, James Harden sank a pull-up three-point jump shot and 2 more free throws to boost the lead to 86-80. Donatas Motiejunas upped the lead to 88-80 with a lay-up.

Ian Clark sank a three-point shot for the Warriors; but, Motiejunas answered with a three-point basket for a 91-83 lead with 4:39 remaining.

The Rockets' offense bogged down; and, the Warriors responded with a 6-2 spurt.

With 3:07 on the clock, the Warriors went to "Hack-A-Dwight"; and, Dwight Howard missed two foul shots. Next, Golden State's Andre Iguodala made his only three-point basket to trim the Rockets' lead to 93-92 with 2:56 on the game clock.

After Trevor Ariza missed a jump shot and Harden missed a floater, Clark put the Warriors ahead (94-93) with a floater and 1:25 remaining.

Then, Ariza's left-handed lay-up rolled off the rim; and, the Warriors had a chance to increase their one point lead; but, Livingston missed a 10-foot floater in the paint.

Michael Beasley was fouled by Draymond Green on a loose ball foul; and, with 41 seconds on the clock, Beasley made both free throws to put the Rockets back on top with a 95-94 lead.

After a 20-second Warriors' timeout, Klay Thompson missed two jump shots; and, Motiejunas grabbed the rebound with 24.9 seconds remaining. The Warriors did not foul; and, seconds ticked off the clock. A pass to Beasley was deflected out of bounds; and, after a few moments, the referee decided the ball stays with the Rockets.

The Rockets had two opportunities to inbounds the ball; and, after calling their final timeout, Trevor Ariza's inbound pass was stolen by Shaun Livingston and resulted in a lay-up by Ian Clark with 10.6 seconds remaining in the game.

Without a timeout, Harden received the inbound pass; dribbled up the court; and sank the game-winner with 2.7 seconds remaining.

The Warriors called timeout; but, after the timeout, Draymond Green bobbled the inbound pass and the ball rolled off his leg out of bounds to seal the win for the Rockets.

"He just dropped it," said Warriors' head coach Steve Kerr. "Draymond has made so many huge plays for us all year; and, it's one of those things."

The Rockets won despite being outshot 43.0% to 39.1% from the field. Houston had lost eight straight playoff games when shooting below 40.0% -- including Game 1 of this series.

Harden's 35 points is his 12th 30-point playoff game of his career and third against the Warriors.

Dwight Howard had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Motiejunas finished the game with his first playoff double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds.

With the win, the Rockets now trail the best-of seven first round series versus the Warriors 2-1.

Game 4 of the series is Sunday, April 24, at 2:30 p.m. (CDT).

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