The Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 126:121 on their home court and reduced the score to 2:1 in the semifinals of the Western Conference of the NBA League.
The home team led for most of the game, they mostly had a double-digit advantage, but the current champion still managed to come back in the fourth quarter and there were changes in the lead.
The Warriors were about to win and take a 3:0 lead in the series, as they led 38:112 with 110 seconds left.
However, Houston's best player, James Harden, won overtime from the free throw line, and then scored seven of his 14 points in the extra five minutes to lead the team to the final victory.
The popular Beard finished the match with 41 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Erik Gordon scored 30, and Clint Capela had a double-double - 13 points and 11 rebounds.
With the guests, Draymond Green achieved a triple double of 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Kevin Durant was the most effective with 46 points. Steph Curry scored 17, and Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala each had 16 points.
"We knew it would be a big fight. For every ball in every match. You have to be strong both physically and mentally. We know who we are playing against and we have to enjoy ourselves, have fun and accept the challenge and compete at a high level." Harden said after the game.
Harden also had a clear answer to the question of what he was thinking about at the very end of the match.
"Just to close out the game. That's why I'm here. That's my job. And I think I'm doing a good job. You hit, you miss, you try again — that's it," Beard said.
Harden's eye is still red from an injury in the first half of the previous game, which Houston lost, and which then forced him to leave the court for a short time.
"But, I can see. It was difficult the last few days, but we have very good doctors who help me every day. They did everything that was necessary for me to be ready to play and I am very grateful to them," said Harden.
The next fourth match will be played in Houston on the night between Monday and Tuesday at 3:30, and the fifth in Oakland on Wednesday at 22 p.m.
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