The Houston Rockets are a win away from the NBA finals after beating defending champions the Golden State Warriors 98-94 in game five of the Western Conference series.

Eric Gordon came off the bench and clocked up 24 points as Houston took a step closer to their first finals berth since winning consecutive titles in 1994 and 1995.

The Rockets had made ground in the opening stages, but the visitors were soon at their heels and the teams remained neck-and-neck for most of the game.

James Harden had opened proceedings with a layup and Houston were nearly double-digits ahead of the Warriors at one point in the first quarter.

Kevin Durant ensured the gap was diminished as he clocked up 11, although Houston were at a 23-17 advantage going into the second quarter.

The Warriors kept up the pressure – Durant posting 18 and Steph Curry 11 as Golden State made it 45-45 at half-time.

Rockets lead series 3-2!

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Attrition in the third quarter saw the teams remain at loggerheads.

Klay Thompson edged the Warriors past the Rockets as play resumed, faking his way past Clint Capela.

The Rockets came back and held on, the scoreline passing through 66-66 to 70-70, although the Warriors had squeezed ahead at the buzzer, leaving the score 72-71.

Warriors Rockets Basketball
Singer Justin Timberlake, J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans and US women’s soccer player Kealia Ohai were courtside (AP/David J. Phillip)

The hosts began to pull ahead in the second half of the final quarter after Chris Paul dunked from distance.

Golden State were not done, coming to within a point of Houston, but Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon made free throws to put the final score at 98-94.

It leaves the series at 3-2 and the Warriors on the brink ahead of game six at their Oracle Arena.