SAN FRANCISCO (AP) \u2014 Stephen Curry had just produced one of his fantastic flurries to get Golden State right back in the game when Fred VanVleet started the fourth quarter with a four-point play that stole the momentum right back.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Golden State went cold when it mattered most: The Warriors missed 13 straight shots between Draymond Green\u2019s basket with 10:12 left and a 3-pointer by Curry at the 3:35 mark.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s exactly what the Warriors were hoping to avoid with a chance to clinch at home in Chase Center.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we just know how important it is, they do too,\u201d Warriors forward Jimmy Butler said.<\/p>\n
Curry scored 29 points but shot 9 of 23, going 6 for 16 from deep. Butler added 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.<\/p>\n
Houston coach Ime Udoka improved to 5-1 when facing elimination. Golden State\u2019s Steve Kerr, meanwhile, is 7-0 in first-round playoff series.<\/p>\n
VanVleet converted the four-point play after the Warriors had pulled within two with Curry\u2019s flurry to end the third. Jalen Green scored the next time down on a putback of his own miss. Then, VanVleet\u2019s 3 from the top with 6:47 remaining put Houston up 101-89.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t give up a four-point play in a two-point game,\u201d Draymond Green said.<\/p>\n
Curry\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
But the Warriors couldn\u2019t keep it going. With a balanced effort on both ends \u2014 including 17 points and hustle plays by big man Steven Adams off the bench \u2014 Houston had an answer nearly every time Golden State threatened or made a big play.<\/p>\n