NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors Are 2 up, Good News for Atlanta Hawks Fans

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry allowed the Golden State Warriors to overcome an outstanding performance by James Harden and take a 2-0 lead in the NBA's Western Conference finals.

Curry shot 5-for-11 from 3-point range and finished with 33 points and six assists as the Warriors held off Houston 99-98. Curry helped the Warriors shoot 53 percent, including a 7-for-9 performance by Andrew Bogut. The Warriors' center finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocks.

Harden contributed 38 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. The All-Star rallied the Rockets from 17 points down in the second quarter and had a chance to finish off the comeback in the final seconds of the game. Instead, Harden lost the ball while being double-teamed by Curry and Klay Thompson as time expired.

Dwight Howard overcame a sprained left knee to deliver 19 points and 17 boards for the Rockets, who host Game 3 on Saturday.

In Other NBA News:

— Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll may be able to play in Game 2 of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers. His agent says an MRI on Carroll's left knee showed no structural damage and that his client is hoping to play Friday. The agent told The Associated Press that Carroll has only a knee sprain and "maybe a little" bone bruise.

— Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Golden State guard Stephen Curry are unanimous choices for the NBA All-Star team. The first and second teams consist of two Cavaliers and eight players from the Western Conference. James and Curry are joined on the first team by Anthony Davis of New Orleans, Marc Gasol of Memphis and Houston's James Harden. The second team has Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMarcus Cousins of the Kings, Chicago's Pau Gasol, Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul of the Clippers.

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