SFGATE: Durant's 35 points carry Warriors past Rockets in Game 1

Durant's 35 points carry Warriors past Rockets in Game 1"
Published on April 29, 2019 at 05:23AM by By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Steve Kerr saw his share of spectacular postseason performances playing alongside one of the greatest ever.

"There was this guy named Michael, I can't remember his last name," the Golden State coach cracked in reference to former Bulls teammate Michael Jordan.

Kevin Durant is having a superb postseason run of his own.

Durant scored 35 points in outdueling James Harden and the Warriors held off the Houston Rockets 104-100 on Sunday in the opener of what is shaping up to be a sensational best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal.

"When he's being as aggressive as he's been, I don't think there's anyone in the NBA, maybe the world who can stop him," Draymond Green said of the two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP.

Houston's Chris Paul was ejected with 4.4 seconds left for a second technical, though he said afterward he wasn't sure what he did wrong — and he wouldn't say whether he made contact with official Josh Tiven while arguing.

"I don't know yet. Nobody told me. He just called a tech," said Paul, who had rebounded a missed 3-pointer by Harden that could have tied the game with 9 seconds left and was arguing for a foul.

Green added 14 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the two-time defending champion Warriors, who are meeting the Rockets in the postseason for the fourth time in five years, with Houston having never been victorious.

Game 2 is Tuesday night back at Oracle Arena.

Harden scored 35 points and Eric Gordon 27 after both struggled early. The Rockets shot 14 for 47 from long range.

Harden, who shot 9 for 28 and 4 of 16 on 3s, wasn't shy about his frustration with the officiating and the lack of foul calls on Houston's 3-point tries.

"I just want a fair chance, man. Call the game how it's supposed to be called and that's it, and...