Kevin McHale: James Harden played "a hell of a game"

Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale has revealed his delight with the performance of James Harden in his side's victory over the Golden State Warriors in game four of their Western Conference finals.

The 25-year-old bounced back from a below-par display in game three of the series to score a playoff career-high 45 points and guide the Rockets to a 128-115 victory.

"He was extremely unhappy [Sunday at practice], and he took it out, but that's what you've got to do," McHale told reporters. "You've got to take it out on them.

"It doesn't do any good to take it out on the trainer and your teammates and your coach. You take it out on the other team, and he did it. He went out, and he played a hell of a game."

The Rockets still trail 3-1 in the series ahead of game five on Wednesday.