Curry used Porter's trash talk as boost: 'I started bringing it to another level'

Kevin Porter Jr. may have inadvertently fueled Stephen Curry's fourth-quarter outburst against the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets guard jawed with Curry on a few occasions during the Golden State Warriors' 122-108 win, including one memorable instance in the third quarter. After disagreeing with a call, Porter uncomfortably stared down the Warriors star:

Before that incident, Houston was still within reach, and Curry had just 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. But the two-time MVP looked an entirely different player afterward, registering 24 points and shooting 8-of-13 from the floor (5-of-9 on threes) to leave the Rockets with no chance.

"It's a nice game within the game," Curry said after the contest, according to ESPN's Kendra Andrews. "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."

Porter, 21, took the developments in stride and said he was simply trying to stay focused while guarding Curry.

"I don't react, but it's a little adrenaline rush," Curry added. "Whatever gas that's got to go in the tank to get you out of a low point I'll take."

Porter's gamesmanship may be the timely spark Curry needs to snap a month-long shooting slump. In the 13 games prior to Monday's win, the 33-year-old shot a paltry 36.4% from the floor and 29.6% from deep.