The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets, 118-113, on Friday night to clinch a contentious Western Conference semifinal series many saw as the de facto N.B.A. finals.

The Warriors, who played without their injured star Kevin Durant, persevered on the road to close out a tightly contested series, four games to two. In doing so, Golden State kept alive its dream of winning three straight N.B.A. championships — and its fourth in five years.

Stephen Curry, after going scoreless for the Warriors in the first half, erupted for 33 points in the second, and Klay Thompson was terrific throughout, finishing with 27 points while shooting 7 of 13 from 3-point range — including one that essentially sealed the win in the final minute. The Splash Brothers, as the two are known, came through when it mattered most.