Kevin Porter Jr.'s trash talk fuels Stephen Curry's fourth quarter explosion in win vs. Houston Rockets

HOUSTON — For the second time in 10 days, the Houston Rockets were giving the Golden State Warriors every inch of fight they had in them. And for about three quarters, it looked to be wearing the Warriors down.

But then in the fourth, Stephen Curry erupted. He scored 21 of his 40 points in the final frame giving Golden State enough juice to get the 122-108 victory. And it all started with Kevin Porter Jr.s' trash talk on Curry.

«It's a nice game within the game,» Curry said. «It's not the first time and it won't be the last time. I started bringing it to another level. You always have it, but you definitely bring another level of competitiveness when you have fun stuff like that. I take it all as entertainment, but sometimes you need a little boost.»

Curry was held to 10 points in the first half and had hit just one 3-pointer. His splash brother, Klay Thompson, had also made just one three. Andrew Wiggins — who finished with 17 points — was doing all he could to keep the Warriors afloat, but he needed help.

In the third quarter, while Curry was catching his breath and waiting for the ball to be inbounded, Porter matched Curry's position — both with the hands on their knees — with his face right over Curry's shoulder.

And the trash-talking ensued. But it was all one-sided. Curry never said a word back to Porter.

«I highly encourage it,» said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr of players jarring with Curry.

«I think he's unfazed by it, to be honest,» Juan Toscano-Anderson said. «He finds it comedic. I mean, he's great. He's gonna do what he does… What do y'all say? Steph's gonna Steph.»

Porter understood that as much as anyone, as after the game the third-year guard went up to the two-time MVP and asked him for advice.

«I went