James Harden, Chris Paul lead Rockets to thrilling Game 4 win over Warriors

Jordan Greer

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James Harden, Chris Paul lead Rockets to thrilling Game 4 win over Warriors image

With the season hanging in the balance, Rockets stars James Harden and Chris Paul combined for 57 points in a hard-fought Game 4 victory over the Warriors on Tuesday night at Oracle Arena.

In an exciting contest that featured huge runs by both teams, including a 12-0 start to the game by the Warriors, Houston tightened up defensively and dominated the fourth quarter. The Rockets won the final frame, 25-12, limiting Golden State to 16.7 percent shooting.

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant tallied 55 total points, but it took the dynamic duo 50 field goal attempts to get there. Some of the shot selection was certainly poor, but the Rockets deserve credit for challenging the Warriors and not collapsing under the weight of multiple runs.

Check out the best highlights from Game 4 of the Western Conference finals below...

Game 4 box score

Final: Rockets 95, Warriors 92

11:30 p.m. ET — What a crazy finish. Stephen Curry somehow escapes his defender for an open corner 3-pointer, but he misses off the front rim. The Rockets take back home-court advantage. It's a series, folks.

11:25 p.m. ET —  Draymond Green makes one of two free throw attempts the deficit down to two points. James Harden takes a stepback 3-pointer on the other end, but it bounces off the rim. 

The Warriors take the rebound, push the pace in transition and the ball ultimately lands in Klay Thompson's hands. He takes a tough fadeaway jumper in the far corner, and the shot comes up well short. Chris Paul snags the rebound, gets fouled with 0.5 seconds on the clock. Paul hits one of two at the line, giving the Warriors one final chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer.

Rockets 95, Warriors 92 with 0.5 on the clock.

11:21 p.m. ET —  Only 42.5 seconds to go. Rockets 94, Warriors 91. Golden State has possession of the ball. Everyone take a deep breath here...

11:15 p.m. ET — Another big play by Chris Paul. Just an insane angle on this pass. With 3:18 on the clock in the fourth, your score... Rockets 91, Warriors 88.

11:08 p.m. ET — There is no defense for this Chris Paul 3-pointer. Wow. The Rockets star has 26 points midway through the fourth quarter.

10:58 p.m. ET — OH HELLO SHAUN LIVINGSTON. NICE TO SEE YOU.

End of third quarter: Warriors 80, Rockets 70

10:49 p.m. ET — Another ridiculous third period for Golden State. The Warriors outscore the Rockets 34-17 with Stephen Curry serving as the primary playmaker. He's got 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range. This team is just relentless.

10:38 p.m. ET —  And there's the Stephen Curry flurry. The two-time MVP drills back-to-back 3-pointers to give Golden State a one-point lead. Through the first seven minutes of the third quarter: Warriors 17, Rockets 9.

10:32 p.m. ET — Chris Paul only has two assists in Game 4, but this one was pretty impressive.

10:25 p.m. ET — The third quarter is usually the time when the Warriors create separation and blow away their opponents. Just like that, Stephen Curry kicks of the second half with a 3-pointer. Let's see if the Rockets can avoid a letdown.

Halftime: Rockets 53, Warriors 46

10:10 p.m. ET — Here's what a massive comeback looks like...

10:05 p.m. ET — And suddenly the Rockets have made this a game. Houston just kept chipping away at the deficit and finds itself ahead going into the locker room. James Harden looked like an MVP in the first half with 24 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. It's clear he will not go down without a fight.

9:50 p.m. ET — OH MY. JAMES HARDEN. YOU WILL FEAR THE BEARD.

9:44 p.m. ET —  Klay Thompson went down with what appeared to be a left knee injury early in the second quarter. He walked back to the locker room with members of Golden State's training staff, but he hasn't returned to the bench yet. No official word from the team on his status.

UPDATE...

9:38 p.m. ET — Eric Gordon has been one of the few bright spots for the Rockets. He's got seven points off the bench and is attacking the basket with aggression.

End of first quarter: Warriors 28, Rockets 19

9:31 p.m. ET — That's a fantastic start for the Warriors — and an all-around mess for the Rockets. Houston shoots 7-of-20 in the opening period and finds itself down nine points before it can blink. Kevin Durant (10 points) is finding just about any look he wants in isolation.

9:18 p.m. ET — A 12-0 run through the first five minutes is ideal for the Warriors. As for the Rockets, well...

9:07 p.m. ET — The Warriors sprint out of the gates to a quick 7-0 lead. The Rockets need to stop this run before Golden State really gets rolling.

8:57 p.m. ET —  Important injury update: Andre Iguodala is OUT for Game 4. Kevon Looney will take his place in the starting lineup. No "Hamptons Five" this time.

8:45 p.m. ET —  Chris Paul is only 5-of-20 from 3-point range through the first three games of this series. The Rockets will need him to rediscover his shooting touch if they want to steal one on the road.

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.