HOUSTON (Sporting Alert, Box Score) — Golden State Warriors took a step closer to making their first NBA finals in 40 years after routing Houston Rockets 115-80 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.
MVP Stephen Curry scored a game-high 40 points, including 19 in the third quarter and connected on seven of his nine 3-point attempts to lead the way for the Warriors, who can finish off Houston in Game 4 next week.
“We are going to try and close out the series on Monday,” Curry said. “But it will be a grueling 48 minutes though.”
Curry, who notched his fourth straight outing with 30 or more points, shot 12-of-19 from the floor, while dishing out seven assists and pulling down five boards.
“Steph was Steph. He’s the MVP … His shooting is hard to describe,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
Dubs take Game 3, lead the series 3-0. #StrengthInNumbers pic.twitter.com/EtH6nS2j4L
— Golden St. Warriors (@warriors) May 24, 2015
Draymond Green contributed a fine double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds to go with his five assists, and Klay Thompson, although not shooting particularly well in this series, finished with 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting from the field.
James Harden scored 17 points to lead the way for the Rockets, but struggled to just 3-of-16 from the floor on a night when nothing went right for the home side.
As a team, Houston shot 33.7 percent from the field and were 5-for-25 from three-pointers.
Josh Smith ended with 16 points and eight rebounds and Dwight Howard collected a double-double of 14 points and 14 boards in the defeat for the Rockets, who will try to avoid being swept at the Toyota Center in Game 4.
Stephen Curry sets a postseason record in the #PlayoftheGame presented by @PlayStation! #GreatnessAwaits http://t.co/YsSbxWiOn8
— NBA (@NBA) May 24, 2015
Andrew Bogut had 12 points and 12 rebounds in a winning effort for the Warriors, with Festus Ezeli putting in 10 points and six boards off the bench.
However, starting forward Harrison Barnes failed to trouble the scoreboard after going 0-of-9 in 29 minutes.
Corey Brewer scored 13 points in the defeat for Houston.
Golden State led 62-37 at halftime.
