The Warriors Held Off A Furious Rockets Comeback To Win Game 5

Game 5 of Warriors-Rockets started with the look of a Golden State blowout as Draymond Green dished out eight assists in the first quarter, and the two-time defending champs ran out to a 14-point advantage. They would extend that lead to as many as 20 in the second quarter, and with Oracle rocking, it was hard to see the way back for Houston as Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson combined for 37 points in the first half.

However, in the third quarter Houston would make a furious comeback, managing to erase the Warriors advantage and even things up going to the fourth quarter, as James Harden came alive, with help from some of the role players around him to win the third 29-15.

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1126339537641193472

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1126341420585865216

Not only were the Warriors suddenly struggling on both ends of the floor, but they found themselves having to finish the game without Kevin Durant after he suffered a calf strain late in the third.

In the fourth quarter, the two teams jockeyed for the lead for much of the period, with Eric Gordon hitting some big threes late as he chipped in 19 points to go along with 11 off the bench from Iman Shumpert.

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1126345665338982400

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1126348826455838720

Curry, who had struggled with his shot for much of the night, found his rhythm at the right time, with 12 of his 25 points coming in the final quarter.

With the Rockets pulling within two late, it was Green who managed to hit a three to keep Houston at bay and extend the Golden State lead, which was followed up by a turnover and a Klay three to force a Rockets timeout as the Warriors went back up by eight.

The Rockets would not go away, clawing back within four points after Green fouled out with a reach-in foul on Gordon, who hit both free throws. The Warriors were able to do just enough at the free-throw line and somehow avoided a late disaster by coming up with a loose ball for a Klay Thompson layup with four seconds to play to ice it and win 104-99, giving themselves a 3-2 series lead.

Houston gambled on not fouling, and it nearly paid off, but Gordon couldn’t hold onto the ball as he crashed into Curry’s legs and Thompson was able to cut to the rim. Now, the series shifts back to Houston as neither home team has lost yet, but the Rockets will be facing elimination if they become the first home squad to blink.