Curry, Warriors overcome late surge from Harden to take 2-0 series lead

Playing on the NBA's biggest stage, the stars came out to shine.

The Golden State Warriors weathered yet another torrid comeback push by the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, narrowly escaping Oracle Arena with a 99-98 win to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

James Harden was tremendous, and the Warriors had absolutely no solution for the MVP runner-up. Harden was unstoppable, draining jumpers, setting up his teammates and relentlessly attacking the paint.

But it was MVP Stephen Curry that led his team to victory, scoring 33 points and handing out six helpers. And when it mattered most, he hit the Warriors' last basket of the game and helped force Harden into a turnover as time expired to cut the Rockets' rally short.

Turning Point

With the Warriors leading by six points with two minutes remaining, Steve Kerr put the ball into his MVP's hands.

Curry did not disappoint.

Curry was patient, content to trade shot clock for an optimal matchup. After a high screen coaxed the Rockets into switching, Curry had one thought on his mind: hammering the nail into Houston's coffin.

Rockets forward Terrence Jones tried to stay step for step with Curry, but the diminutive guard was too quick. Curry charged at Jones with a hard jab before stepping back to drain a fadeaway over Jones's outstretched fingertips.

The shot gave Golden State an eight-point lead - one it would not relinquish.

In classic Rockets fashion, however, they had an answer and nearly completed yet another improbable comeback - going on a 8-1 run over the span of two minutes after Curry's basket.

Houston had one last chance to win the game late. The Rockets got a stop with under 10 seconds remaining, trailing by just one. They put the ball into Harden's hands, but he lost it after being trapped by Klay Thompson and Curry.

A debate will be had about Rockets head coach Kevin McHale's decision to not call a timeout. Harden certainly caught the Warriors in transition at first, but Curry and Thompson recovered beautifully.

For his part, Harden backed up his head coach.

Star Performer

Harden and Curry showed why they were the top two finishers for MVP this season.

Curry had it going early. He scored 15 points in the first quarter and looked well on his way to another fantastic outing en route to an easy Golden State win.

But Harden had his own plans. He switched into takeover mode in the second quarter, scoring 12 straight at one point to keep the game tied at halftime.

The two superstars proceeded to trade haymakers. Harden nailed stepbacks; Curry did the same. Harden set up his bigs for alley-oops against help defenders on forays down the lane. Curry drained more jumpers.

In the end, it was Curry who got the best of Harden, as he and Thompson pressured Harden into a turnover with time expiring.

Curry finished with 33 points on 13-of-21 shooting with three rebounds and six assists. Harden countered with 38 points on 13-of-21 shooting with 10 rebounds, nine assists and three steals.

Highlight Reel

Thompson slips, picks up pretty dime

Harden is not fair

Additional Highlights

• Klay soars in for monster jam
• Harden puts Curry on skates
• Iguodala posterizes Howard
• Bogut catches alley-oop

Series at a Glance

Game 1: Warriors 110, Rockets 106 (Warriors lead 1-0)
Game 2: Warriors 99, Rockets 98 (Warriors lead 2-0)
Game 3: Saturday, May 23, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET
Game 4: Monday, May 25, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET
Game 5*: Wednesday, May 27, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Friday, May 29, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Sunday, May 31, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET

*if necessary

Alternative Series at a Glance

Every Warriors fan is Stephen Curry after Game 2