Ingles and Exum extinguish Rockets
JOE Ingles and Dante Exum have exploded with the best games of their NBA careers to fire the Utah Jazz to victory over the Houston Rockets in game two of the NBA western conference semi-final series.
The 116-108 win inside a hostile Houston arena evens the series 1-1 and gives the Jazz an opportunity to take a commanding lead over the NBA’s top seed.
The next two games in the best-of-seven series are in Salt Lake City.
Ingles bombed the Rockets out of yesterday’s game with 27 points — the most for an Australian in a playoff game — including connecting with seven of nine three-point attempts.
“I was lucky enough to get a few to fall early,” the Adelaideborn forward said.
Ingles scorched the Rockets from the opening tip, scoring 11 of the Jazz’s first 18 points.
The Jazz were up 19 points before the Rockets, behind this year’s NBA MVP favourite James Harden, cut the Jazz’s lead to 64-55 at halftime.
The third quarter and early in the final period became a dogfight but the game turned in the final six minutes when Exum dropped a three-pointer and then Ingles hit two consecutive long bombs.
Exum had nine points for the game, including a thunderous right-hand dunk in the final minute that sealed the game and had his teammates jumping off the bench.
He also harassed Harden and the Rockets’ other All-Star guard, Chris Paul.
“Dante has some size and length,” said Utah coach Quin Snyder of the 198cm guard from Melbourne.
“We have had some confidence in Dante taking difficult match-ups.”
Harden had 32 points and 11 assists and Paul a quiet 23 points and just three assists.
“Ingles’s seven from nine from three — they were just too comfortable,” said Paul, looking at the score sheet in his media conference.
Harden agreed, saying his team went out “too lackadaisical” after winning game one easily. “Give them credit,” he said. “They made shots.” Game three in Salt Lake City is on Saturday.