Basketball On The Internet.

JAMES Harden scored an NBA playoff career-high 45 points as Houston took Game 4 of its Western Conference Final against Golden State 128-115 today.

The Toyota Center in Houston was rocking as the Rockets burst out of the blocks against a lethargic Warriors team, ahead 3-0 in the series and looking as if they were going through the motions.

(That attitude sure cost the LA Clippers.)

Houston had a 45-point first quarter, shooting at 77 per cent and that was before the Warriors lost Stephen Curry after he landed badly and smacked his head, tumbling over the top of Trevor Ariza.

It was a hold-your-breath moment, far too reminiscent of Andrew Bogut's tumble to the floor back in his Milwaukee Bucks days, an incident which changed the course of his career.

Fortunately, Curry was able to make it back into the game, the Rockets ahead by as many as 25 before a remarkable Golden State charge.

Curry's three with 8:24 left had the deficit back to six at 98-104 before Harden then scored the next seven points and the game again was outside the Warriors' reach.

It was a terrific performance by Houston after a meek capitulation in Game 3 gave the Warriors a 3-0 series lead, from which no team has ever successfully come back.

But it wasn't without controversy and yes, another Aussie was involved, this time Bogut taking an elbow to the head from Dwight Howard (14 points, 12 rebounds).

Again, by tomorrow this will probably all be Bogey's fault and part of a "pattern of behaviour" but it was pretty simple - Howard shoved him, he shoved Howard back, Howard whacked him.

But, oo wee, Bogey's passport says "Australian" so he's probably another wild rugby player we've set loose on the NBA to collect high elbows from opponents for not taking a backward step.

Those damn Aussie buzzards!

Curry still managed to pull together 23 points and Klay Thompson 24, the latter at his best while Curry was being treated for possible concussion.

Draymond Green had a 21-point, 15-rebound double but did himself no favours jawing to the refs. They tend to not change calls. But they remember your number.

Ariza had 17 points and Josh Smith 20 for Houston, but when GSW challenged, it was Harden who put them away with step-back after step-back in a wicked performance.

In the East, Cleveland is at home tomorrow for Game 4 against Atlanta, the NBA currently considering the attire below as compulsory for any Australians left in the playoffs.