Houston Rockets Stave Off Elimination In Game 4 Victory Over The Golden State Warriors

After a disappointing outing in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, James Harden put up an impressive playoff career high of 45 points to help the Houston Rockets avoid elimination in their Game 4 win against the Golden State Warriors, ESPN reported. The Rockets won over the Warriors 128-115 in Houston, bringing the series to 3-1. The Warriors still lead the series.

Houston Rockets’ guard James Harden talked about his play in Game 4 and his frustrations following Game 3.

“I always want to take it out on my opponent in a good way… Just being aggressive, taking shots, getting to the basket, not really forcing anything and allowing the game to come to me.”

NBA MVP Stephen Curry took a hard fall in the second quarter, falling off the back of Trevor Ariza. Curry landed on the back of his head and was taken out of the game with a head contusion. He later returned mid-way through the third quarter and finished the game with 23 points.

Golden State Warriors’ point guard Stephen Curry talked about his nasty spill.

“It was all minor stuff compared to how it looked… But I’ll get some good rest and be ready to go [for Game 5]… Since it happened to now, nothing has gotten worse.”

Houston Rockets’ forward Trevor Ariza talked about Curry’s fall in the second quarter.

“I was just trying to pump fake and get somebody off their feet… I didn’t know that he flipped over… it wasn’t intentional or anything like that.”

Dwight Howard also faced a possible ejection from the game after striking Andrew Bogut in the head. It was declared a flagrant one, whereas a flagrant two would have had Howard ejected from the game immediately. The call can still be upgraded, which would mean that Howard would be suspended from playing in Game 5.

Houston Rockets’ center Dwight Howard talked about his flagrant foul and the possibility of it being upgraded to a flagrant two.

“I hope not… But there’s nothing I can do about it at this point. It’s never my intention to hurt anybody on the floor. My reaction was to try to get him off me, but I can’t react that way.”

The Warriors could not sweep the Rockets, but will have another chance to eliminate the Rockets and move onto the NBA Finals in Game 5. Game 5 will take place on the Warriors’ home floor on Wednesday.

[Photo credit: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport]