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NBA PLAYOFFS
NBA Playoffs

Rockets push Warriors to brink of elimination: Must-see moments from Game 5

Houston Rockets guard James Harden and forward Trevor Ariza high-five during the fourth quarter of Game 5.

One more win and the Houston Rockets are going to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1995. 

One more loss and the Golden State Warriors — favorites to win the title since Day One — are going home.

Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday night picked up right where Game 4 left off, delivering quarter after quarter of hard-fought basketball, albeit sloppy at times, that came down to the final seconds. The Rockets came out on top, 98-94, thanks to some big-time plays from Eric Gordon and Chris Paul. 

Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined to score 74 points for Golden State, but it wasn't enough when the final buzzer sounded. 

Game 6 is set for Saturday night in Oakland (9 p.m. ET on TNT). 

Some of Game 5's top moments are below

► CP3 goes down

Something to keep an eye on: Paul injured his right hamstring late in the fourth quarter and sat out for the remainder of the game. After the game, coach Mike D'Antoni said Paul is "worried."

Coach Kerr shares MJ story to inspire KD

Steve Kerr, who played alongside Michael Jordan in Chicago, was captured by the TNT cameras using a Jordan example to give advice to Durant. His message? Trust your teammates.

► The disrespect!

Not only did Paul hit a deep three-pointer over Curry as the shot clock expired during this third-quarter possession, he mocked Curry's shimmy celebration behind his back as the two made their way down the floor. 

► Kerr is cold

After Curry drew a foul on a three-pointer in James Harden-esque fashion and the Rockets were complaining about the call to referee James Capers, Kerr pointed to Harden and appeared to say, "that's your move." 

► Hakeem, is that you?

Clint Capela may not have the shot-blocking ability of Hall of Famer and Rockets great Hakeem Olajuwon, but he did his best impression with this Draymond Green rejection in the second quarter.

► The turnover

Down by two points with 6.7 seconds to go and three of the greatest shooters in NBA history on the floor, the Warriors had a chance to pull off the dramatic victory. Instead, they did this. 

Clutch City

Gordon, who finished with a team-high 24 points, came up big down the stretch, but no shot was bigger than his three-pointer with 1:21 remaining to give the Rockets a four-point cushion. 

 

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