'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Final Score: Houston Rockets 126 - 121 Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors were on the road for the Game 3 of the Western Conference semi-finals looking to take a 3-0 lead against the Houston Rockets. This was a must-win game for the hosts and both the teams battled it out and the Rockets eventually managed to hold on to the victory.
Even though the Rockets took a nine-point lead heading into halftime, the Warriors stormed back in the second half and tied the game to send it to overtime. In the overtime, James Harden's clutch performance eventually meant that this series lasts at least five games.
Kevin Durant who has been in a league of his own in this year's playoffs continued his stellar form and dropped 46 points on 14-for-31 shooting. However, the splash brothers did not have a great offensive game as they only combined for 33 points on 13-for-39 shooting. Let us take a look at three talking points from this overtime thriller in Houston.
#3 Eric Gordon's 30-point performance
Stat line: 30 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and a block on 55.0 % shooting
Eric Gordon has been one of the key role players for the Houston Rockets since the day he signed with the Rockets in the 2016 offseason. He was named the Sixth Man of the Year only in his first season with the Rockets and is known for his ability to knock down three-pointers with ease from anywhere on the floor.
The 30-year-old was impressive in the first two games of this series and for the Rockets to defend their homecourt in Game 3, they needed Gordon's red-hot three-point shooting. He scored 30 points on a very efficient 11-for-20 shooting, including 7-for-14 from downtown.
Whenever the Warriors cut down the Rockets' lead in their quest to make a comeback, it was Gordon's three-pointers that extended the lead and kept the game close.
#2 Kevin Durant's red-hot form continues
Stat line: 46 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists on 45.2 % shooting
There seems to be no answer for Kevin Durant in the league as he continues to dismantle the opposition teams with his red-hot performances. Durant has been playing at a whole other level this playoffs and is easily the best player in the world right now.
After averaging 35.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in the first round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers, Durant is continuing his form in the conference semifinals as he scored 46 points (series-high) in Game 3 against the Rockets.
His 46 points include 34 points only in the second half and with Curry and Thompson not quite feeling it on the offensive end, it was him who kept the Warriors in the game. Durant is averaging 36.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on 43.4 % shooting this series.
#1 James Harden's clutch performance
Stat line: 41 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal on 43.8 % shooting
James Harden has been one of the front runners for MVP all season long. The Beard is one of the most dominant offensive players to ever play the sport and with his patented step-back three-pointers, he has been an unstoppable force this year.
After scoring 35 points in the series-opener close loss in Golden State, he backed it up with yet another strong performance, scoring 29 points on 47.4 % shooting. It should be noted that he has suffered an eye injury in the beginning of Game 2 and played the entire game with bloodshot eyes. After Game 2, in the post game media interaction, he said "I could barely see."
The Rockets came back to Houston to host the Warriors for Game 3 and were looking to dig themselves out of the 0-2 hole. The defending MVP went off for 41 points on 14-for-32 shooting, including 5-for-13 from the three-point line.
While Harden was the center of attraction for the Rockets for the entire 48 minutes, he was particularly impressive in overtime, scoring 7 clutch points including the dagger three-pointer in the overtime, helped the Rockets make it 1-2.
Guess the Lakers players!
