Kevin Durant scored 35 points as he defeated James Harden, and the Golden State Warriors held out Sunday to beat the Houston Rockets 104-100 in Game 1 of what promises to be a sensational conference semifinal series. West.
“When he looks as aggressive as he has been, I don’t think there is anyone in the NBA, perhaps in the world, capable of stopping him,” Draymond Green said of the two-time MVP of the NBA Finals.
The Rockets’ Chris Paul was sent off with 4.4 seconds remaining for committing his second technical foul, although the point guard does not know what he did wrong – and is unaware of his contact with referee Josh Tiven while discussing a referee decision.
“I do not know yet. Nobody told me. They just scored a coach for me, ”said Paul, who had recovered the ball after a missed 3-pointer by Harden that could have tied the score with nine seconds left, and discussed with the referees.
Green added 14 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the two-time defending champion Warriors, who face the Rockets in the postseason for the fourth time in five years – a streak from which Houston has never emerged victorious.
Game 2 of the series takes place again Tuesday at Oracle Arena.
Harden finished with 35 points and Eric Gordon with 27 after they both battled on offense for a rockets of poor shooting. Houston made 14 of 47 3-point attempts and did not have backup point guard Austin Rivers due to illness.
A three-point play by Harden with 40 seconds remaining brought Houston closer to 100-98. Stephen Curry responded with a 3-pointer over Brazilian Nene at the other end in a performance of 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Durant, who had totaled 95 points in the previous two games against the Clippers, hit 11 of 25 shots from the field and 12 of 15 free throws in his fifth straight playoff performance of at least 30 points – equaling his career-best streak. , which he imposed from June 1 to 12, 2017.
Technical fouls by Paul and Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, 2.1 seconds apart in the final minute of the third period allowed the Warriors to take an 83-76 lead into the final 12 minutes after Durant made all three free throws.
Klay Thompson contributed 13 points despite playing with a sprained right ankle. AP