Michael Singer

USA TODAY

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard said that his team was concerned there was still time left on the clock, which is why they weren’t overtly excited following James Harden’s game-winning shot in Game 3 vs. the Golden State Warriors.

“I think everybody made a big deal out of nothing, and we were very happy we won the game,” Howard said on Friday, following his team’s 97-96 win over the Warriors, who were without Steph Curry. “But I think moreso we were kind of upset we put ourselves in that situation. It took a last-second shot to win the game when we clearly had the game beat from the beginning of the game.”

“So for all those people saying we weren’t happy and excited when James hit the shot, shut up.”

The Rockets blew a 14-point second-half lead and nearly cost themselves the game after an errant inbounds pass led to an easy Warriors breakaway layup. Golden State was up 96-95 before Harden nailed the jumper with two seconds left. The NBA has since ruled that the Harden shot shouldn’t have counted since he pushed off Warriors defender Andre Iguodala.

NBA officiating report: James Harden's game-winner was an offensive foul

Nonetheless, the Rockets’ bench was oddly subdued for the moment.

“I don’t think nobody was upset or mad James hit the shot. All of us were focused. That could’ve been the season right there.”

The Warriors still lead the series 2-1, and Curry is expected to return from an ankle injury for Sunday’s Game 4 in Houston.