HOUSTON — James Harden was not happy after a poor performance in Houston’s embarrassing loss to Golden State in Game 3.

Coach Kevin McHale told him the best thing to do was take that frustration out on the other team.

Harden did just that, scoring a playoff career-high 45 points as the Rockets led from start to finish to avoid elimination in the Western Conference finals with a 128-115 victory over the Warriors on Monday night.

The Rockets had a big lead after tying a playoff record with 45 points in the first quarter before Stephen Curry landed on his head in a nasty spill midway through the second and missed about 12 minutes.