James Harden scored 41 points, and the Houston Rockets beat the defending champion Golden State Warriors 126-121 in overtime in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
It was tied 112-112 at the end of regulation.
Harden’s step-back 3-pointer with 49.0 seconds left in overtime made it 124-118, and his floater with 26.1 seconds left in overtime put it away at 126-121.
During clutch time, the Rockets outscored the Warriors 18-16. Harden (No. 1 in clutch points, 2018-19) scored 9 of the Rockets’ 18 on 3 for 8 shooting and 2 for 2 at the line. With 3:30 left, Klay Thompson stole the ball from Harden, and his free throws off it tied the game at 108.
Eric Gordon scored 30 points (13 in the second quarter) with 7 3-pointers. The Rockets had 2 30-point scorers.
For the Warriors, Kevin Durant had 46 points and 6 assists, and Draymond Green added 19 points (10 in the paint), 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Rockets shot 48.4% from the field and 42.9% from 3 to the Warriors’ 44.2% and 42.4%. The Warriors gave up 17 offensive rebounds, about 7 more than usual for the shots the Rockets missed. They outscored the Rockets 25-9 off turnovers. The Rockets’ starters were outscored 37-27 in 15 minutes together.