05/02/25 11:37:00
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05/02 23:35 CDT Fred VanVleet and the Rockets force a deciding Game 7 by
beating the Warriors 115-107 in Game 6
Fred VanVleet and the Rockets force a deciding Game 7 by beating the Warriors
115-107 in Game 6
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --- Fred VanVleet had 29 points, eight assists and eight
rebounds, Alperen Sengun contributed 21 points and 14 rebounds, and the Houston
Rockets kept their season alive by beating the Golden State Warriors 115-107 on
Friday night and forcing a deciding Game 7 in their first-round playoff series.
Golden State went cold when it mattered most: The Warriors missed 13 straight
shots between Draymond Green's basket with 10:12 left and a 3-pointer by
Stephen Curry at the 3:35 mark.
Now, everybody will get back on an airplane and head to Houston for Game 7 on
Sunday for a chance to meet well-rested Minnesota in the Western Conference
semifinals. That's exactly what the Warriors were hoping to avoid with a chance
to clinch at home in Chase Center.
Curry scored 29 points but shot 9 of 23, going 6 for 16 from deep. Jimmy Butler
added 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Houston coach Ime Udoka improved to 5-1 when facing elimination.
VanVleet converted a four-point play to start the fourth quarter after the
Warriors had pulled within two with Curry's flurry to end the third. Jalen
Green scored the next time down on a putback of his own miss. Then, VanVleet's
3 from the top with 6:47 remaining put Houston up 101-89.
"We can't give up a four-point play in a two-point game," Draymond Green said.
Curry's driving layup with 39 seconds left in the third made it a four-point
game, firing up the home crowd in bright yellow playoff shirts with matching
rally towels. He then made two free throws as the Warriors pulled within 86-84.
But the Warriors couldn't keep it going. With a balanced effort on both ends
--- including 17 points and hustle plays by big man Steven Adams off the bench
--- Houston had an answer nearly every time Golden State threatened or made a
big play.
The Warriors led 3-1 in the series but fell behind in a hurry in a 131-116 Game
5 loss Wednesday night as Houston's offense rolled after averaging 98 points
through the first four games of the series.
VanVleet was brilliant again. He shot 7 for 13 from the floor after consecutive
games going 8 for 13, and he converted all nine of his free throws. And from
3-point range the past three games, he's 18 for 27.
"He's comfortable, he's getting where he wants to get to," Draymond Green said.
"Somehow you've got to break that up."
That's why Warriors coach Steve Kerr went to defensive specialist Gary Payton
II in the starting lineup in place of Brandin Podziemski.
Draymond Green passed Isiah Thomas (987) for 15th place on the NBA playoff
assists list and now has 992.
Draymond Green picked up an offensive foul at the 8:53 mark of the first
quarter for shoving Jalen Green. The play went to review and the foul was
determined to be a flagrant-1. But after two straight games with dustups, both
teams stayed poised.
The Warriors dropped to 27-11 since Butler's debut on Feb. 8 following his
trade from Miami.
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