Frustrated James Harden kicks chairs after blowing chance in NBA play-offs
Houston's main man prevented from hitting game-winning shot as Warriors grab 99-98 win for 2-0 lead in Western Conference finals
The Houston Rockets could not have scripted it any better.
James Harden had the ball in his hands in transition with the chance to win the game and tie the Western Conference finals at a game apiece.
Harden's chance at a potential game-winning shot was squandered when Golden State knocked the ball away in the closing seconds of a 99-98 victory in game two that left Harden on the floor with his head in his hands and the Warriors celebrating.
It's just a little frustration at that last play, but overall I feel good. We're really confident about what we have going on. We let two slip away, so now we go back to Houston and take care of business at home
"Kicking chairs. It's frustrating. Frustrating to give the game away like that for myself," Harden said. "Ten out of 10 times we'll take that play."
Harden finished with 38 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in another sterling effort. He led the Rockets back from a 17-point deficit in the second quarter and had them in position to win in the closing seconds.
Harden fed gimpy Dwight Howard for an alley-oop that cut the deficit to one point with 33 seconds to go, then came down with the rebound when Harrison Barnes missed a reverse with about eight seconds left.
With Houston having one timeout remaining, coach Kevin McHale let his star push the ball up court, hoping to catch the Warriors before they could get set on defence.
