After a humiliating 35-point loss in which they only scored 80 points, the Rockets destroyed the Warriors with a fantastic offensive performance in Game 4. They torched the best defense in the league in the regular season to the tune of 125 points on 56 percent shooting and led wire-to- wire. At the center of that turnaround was James Harden, who after scoring just 17 points on Game 3, went off for 45 points to help his team avoid the sweep.
NBA playoffs scores 2015: James Harden redeems himself and 3 other things we learned
The Rockets’ star was at peak level and was the biggest reason Houston avoided a sweep at the hands of the Warriors.
It was clear this was going to be a special day for Houston’s offense from the start. When Josh Smith makes his first three three-point attempts things are clearly going your way. Everything was falling for the Rockets early on, as they scored 45 first-quarter points to tie a record for most points scored in a first quarter of a playoff game.
Against most teams, that would be enough to secure the win but the Warriors have an explosive offense. They found their way back into the game in the second quarter a on a barrage of Klay Thompson three-pointers and Draymond Green inside buckets. Harden was quiet during that period, scoring only two points on a couple of free throws. After the best offensive quarter in the postseason, the Rockets were only up 10 at the half. The sweep was still very much in play.
James Harden made sure that wouldn’t happen by scoring 33 of his total 45 points in the second half to hold off every comeback attempt by the Warriors.
After the break Harden went 10-for-15 from the floor, 5-for-8 from beyond the arc and 8-for-9 from the line. It was exactly the type of ultra efficient offensive performance that has become his signature and it came after it took him 16 shots to score 17 points on Game 3. He set a career high for points in the playoffs with 45 and one-upped Stephen Curry after he had a 40-point performance in the previous matchup.
The numbers are notable but what was truly impressive was how timely some of his makes were. The Warriors cut the Rockets’ lead to single digits seven times in the second half. On five of those, Harden either scored or assisted in the following play. Every time the Warriors got any momentum going Harden was there to slow them down. A step back three with 1:41 to go in the fourth quarter put Houston up by 11 and iced the game.
Harden was rightfully criticized after Game 3 because he played below the expectations we have for an MVP candidate. He answered by showing that in his own distinctive way he can be as dominant as Stephen Curry. It might be for naught considering the hole the Rockets are in but The Beard had a signature moment in which he showed he’s both efficient and clutch.
3 other things we learned
Stephen Curry's fall was scary
When Curry hit the ground after jumping over Trevor Ariza everyone watching thought he was out for the game. He fell on his back and hit his head on the ground, looking dazed in the aftermath. It looked like a concussion.
Fortunately he returned to the court in the third quarter. He airballed a three in his first attempt and didn’t look like himself at first but slowly got his rhythm back and contributed 11 points and two assists in the fourth quarter. There have been too many injuries this postseason already. Luckily Curry escaped unscathed and should be ready to go on Game 5.
Andrew Bogut is getting in Dwight Howard's head
Dwight Howard finished the game with 14 points and 12 rebounds, a perfectly acceptable stat line for a player who has accepted a secondary role in Houston. He also blocked a couple of shots and altered several others, proving he’s still one of the best defensive players in the league. The Rockets outscored the Warriors by 19 points while he was on the court.
Yet he might not have been there to help his team close the game had the referees called a Flagrant 2 on what was clearly an intentional elbow to Andrew Bogut's head.
Bogut is a master agitator who instigated the exchange but Howard can't afford to lose his temper because he's essential for his team. With Donatas Motiejunas out, the Rockets' back-up center is rookie Clint Capela. Howard needs to find a way to remain calm or his team will suffer for it.
Corey Brewer continues to be MIA
The Rockets didn't need much from their bench because Harden played so well but got a solid contribution from Terrence Jones, who finished with 14 points and five rebounds. Pablo Prigioni only scored three points but was as steady as usual and even Clint Capela performed as expected on a short stint. Corey Brewer, however, was a disaster and it's starting to look like a trend.
Brewer has had more points than shots only once in the series and went 0-for-4 in Game 4. His field goal percentage is 29 percent and the Rockets have been outscored by 45 points in the 98 minutes he’s been on the floor. Brewer is supposed to be one of the key bench cogs for Houston and so far has not made many positive contributions. He needs to start producing and soon because the series could be over in two days.
Play of the night
The shot didn’t count but it shows how huge the rim must have looked for Harden on Monday.
3 fun things
Final score
Rockets 128, Warriors 115 (The Dream Shake recap | Golden State of Mind recap)
SB Nation presents: James Harden’s most jaw-dropping moments
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