Rockets claw back to win

Houston Rockets clawed out a 98-94 victory over the reigning champion Golden State Warriors on Thursday to move within one win of reaching the NBA Finals.

The Rockets took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals and with one more victory can deny the Warriors a fourth straight trip to the championship series.

Houston point guard Chris Paul scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half as the Western Conference heavyweights went toe-to-toe.

Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 29 points.

Klay Thompson scored 23 points.

And Curry added 22 for Golden State.

The only downside for Houston was a right hamstring injury to Paul that saw him limp off in the final minute.

The result: Houston Rockets 98 (Paul 20, Gordon 24, Harden 19) bt Golden State Warriors 94 (Durant 29, Thompson 23, Curry 22).