Harden’s late shot lifts Rockets over Warriors 97-96

Houston Rockets guard James Harden scores the winning basket during the second half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, April 21, 2016, in Houston. AP

HOUSTON, Texas—James Harden scored 35 points, including the game-winner with 2.7 seconds left, and the Houston Rockets took advantage of Stephen Curry’s absence to get a 97-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night.

The victory cuts Houston’s deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Sunday in Houston.

Shaun Livingston stole a pass from Trevor Ariza and Ian Clark’s layup put Golden State up by one with 10.6 seconds left. Harden then took it to the other end and stepped back for the jump shot to win it.

Golden State had a chance to win it after that, but Draymond Green dribbled the inbounds pass off his foot and out of bounds.

Marreese Speights came off the bench to lead the Warriors with 22 points and Klay Thompson had 17.