Steph Curry, Warriors Win Game 4 vs. Rockets as NBA Fans Applaud Butler, Podz Heroics

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets 109-106 on Monday night to take a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.

Stephen Curry finished the night with 17 points, three rebounds and three assists while shooting 6-of-13 from the field in the victory. Jimmy Butler added 27 points, along with six assists. Brandin Podziemski finished with 26, Buddy Hield added 15 and Draymond Green posted six. 

On the other side of the court, Dillon Brooks posted 11 points, shooting 4-of-7 from the field, in addition to 25 points from Fred VanVleet, who shot 8-of-12 from three-point range. Alperen Sengun added 31 and Jalen Green had eight points. 

With the win, the Warriors are now one victory away from clinching the series as they head back to Houston for Game 5.

Fans reacted to Butler III and Podziemski stepping up in a big way after Curry had a quieter night than usual.

The Golden State Warriors opened strong, hitting two straight three-pointers from Green to take a 6-3 lead. Podziemski got going early, scoring five points as the Rockets were forced to call a timeout, trailing 13-2.  

Amen Thompson responded for Houston, scoring eight points to help close the gap as the Warriors took a 28-26 lead into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, tensions flared. With the game tied at 36, Curry, Green and Brooks were all assessed technical fouls after Brooks fouled Curry, prompting Curry to flash a No. 2—signaling Brooks' second foul—which Brooks did not take kindly to.  

Later, with under three minutes left in the half, Tari Eason and Green got into a scuffle, resulting in a Flagrant 1 on Green. Butler III and Brooks exchanged some words as well.

A strong finish from Houston sent the Rockets into halftime with a 57-50 lead.

Curry (10), Podziemski (13) and Quinten Post (12) all led the Warriors in double-digit scoring at the break, while VanVleet (12), Sengun (10) and Brooks (11) led the Rockets.

Out of halftime, the Warriors exploded with an 18-1 run, fueled by seven points from Buddy Hield as he found his rhythm in the third quarter. The Rockets answered with a seven-point run of their own to stay within striking distance.

Golden State received its second delay of game warning, resulting in another technical foul, giving the Rockets a trip to the line—where they continued to struggle, shooting just 17-of-29 by the end of the third.

Despite the swings, the Warriors carried a two-point lead into the final 12 minutes.

Neither team led by more than five points in the final quarter, trading buckets down the stretch. Curry, Butler, Podziemski and Hield each hit clutch three-pointers to keep the Warriors in front.

Three clutch free throws from Butler III gave Golden State a three-point lead before Sengun answered to cut it back to one. Houston missed a chance to take the lead, thanks to strong Warriors defense by Green and a Butler III rebound sealed the win for Golden State.

Golden State and Houston will meet for Game 5 on Wednesday in Houston.