(CNN Philippines) — The Houston Rockets showed signs of resiliency anew and erased a 17-point deficit to turn a once catch-up game into a slugfest.
But in the end, the Golden State Warriors still prevailed, 99-98, in Game 2 of their National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference finals Friday PHT (May 22).
Steph Curry, who was 5-of-11 from the three-point area, starred for the Warriors with 33 points, six assists, and three rebounds.
Golden State now holds a 2-0 upperhand in the best-of-seven series.
Read: Late surge from Curry helps Warriors draw first blood vs. Rockets
The Rockets were paced by James Harden, who also came up with a dazzling performance of game-high 38 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists but ultimately failed to help his team get over the hump.
Facing a 90-98 deficit inside the final two minutes, the Rockets lit up their flickering hopes by scoring eight straight points punctuated by an alley oop dunk by Dwight Howard from Harden, 98-99, with 33 ticks to go.
In the ensuing possession, Harrison Barnes drove baseline for a reverse layup but the ball rimmed out.
Harden raced to the other end of the court with the hope of stealing the win, but Curry and Klay Thompson forced him to lose the basketball as time expired.
“I knew Klay had him (Harden) squared, I just covered the left side,” said the league Most Valuable Player, Curry, of the last play moments after their conquest of the Rockets.
“It takes a total team effort to guard him.”
Related: Smith heats up from downtown, James shines late as Cavs repulse Hawks in Game 1
