| |
|
NBA -- Harden delivers, Rockets slice deficit to 2-1
By Franco Ching Alsay PhilBoxing.com Sat, 23 Apr 2016

HOUSTON -- James Harden sank a step-back jumper in the final 2.7 seconds of play and the Houston Rockets escaped with a thrilling 97-96 Game victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night at the Toyota Center.
It was a much-needed win for the 8th seeded Rockets, who avoided falling down 3-0 in their best-of-7 round one series against the defending champions, who set a historic 73-9 mark during the regular season, a milestone that eclipsed the 72-10 record set by the iconic Chicago Bulls team of the 1995-96 season.
"It was a total team effort. We're gonna need multiple guys to step up and make plays as the series goes on. Playoffs is all about winning," Harden said during a post-game interview.
The Rockets' two bigs, Dwight Howard and Donatas Motiejunas, finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds and 14 points and 13 rebounds, respectively. Patrick Beverley added 10 points for Houston.
"If we play with energy, intensity and effort then we can beat this team. We have to have that mindset going into the next game". Howard said.
Without reigning MVP Steph Curry, who is sidelined with an injured ankle, the Warriors were led by Marreese Speights' 22 points. Klay Thompson finished with 17 points while Shaun Livingston had 16 points and three assists.
The Rockets will try to even up the series on Sunday afternoon at the Toyota Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Franco Ching Alsay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Dela Peña stops Delos Santos, now ready for Slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels , Wed, 01 Jul 2026HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES , Wed, 01 Jul 2026KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11 , Tue, 30 Jun 2026World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Jun 202612-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October , Mon, 29 Jun 2026Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026Deaño settles to a draw By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow , Sun, 28 Jun 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|