The Golden State Warriors are one win away from advancing after a nail-biting 109-106 Game 4 victory over the Houston Rockets, fueled by Jimmy Butler’s late-game heroics. Returning from a pelvic injury, Butler sank three critical free throws with 5. seconds left and grabbed the game-clinching rebound, finishing with 27 points and a perfect 12-for-12 from the line
Brandin Podziemski erupted for a playoff career-high 26 points, while Buddy Hield added 15 off the bench. Steph Curry struggled from deep (2-for-8 on threes) but contributed 17 points Houston’s Alperen Sengun dominated with 31 points and 10 rebounds, and Fred VanVleet’s 25 points included a clutch three to tie the game late, but his potential equalizer at the buzzer rimmed out
The Rockets outshot Golden State (49% FG to 41%) but faltered at the line (6.3% on 31 attempts) and surrendered six more threes Draymond Green’s flagrant foul and technicals escalated tensions, but the Warriors’ 18-1 third-quarter run proved decisive Game 5 heads to Houston on Wednesday, where the Warriors aim to close out the No. 2 seed
