Harden helps propel Rockets past Thunder

Spurs and Jazz close in on second round berth in play-offs

James Harden scored 34 points and the Houston Rockets withstood a furious effort from Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook to oust the Thunder from the NBA playoffs on Tuesday.

The Rockets beat the Thunder 105-99 to win their bestof-seven Western Conference first-round series four games to one.

Rockets reserve Lou Williams scored 10 of his 22 points early in the fourth quarter as the Rockets responded to a sensational third quarter from Westbrook, who carried his team to a 77-72 lead going into the final period. Westbrook scored 10 straight points in one stretch and finished with 20 points, five rebounds, 3 assists in the third.

Two free throws

But Williams opened the fourth with two free throws, and added three more from the line along with a three-pointer as the Rockets regained the advantage with Westbrook on the bench — and they held on even after Westbrook re-entered the game as the Thunder missed a string of shots.

The Spurs, seeded second in the West behind the Golden State Warriors, seized a 3-2 lead in their series Tuesday with a 116-103 victory in San Antonio.

Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points, Patty Mills added 20 and Tony Parker chipped in 16 as the Spurs bounced back from a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Grizzlies in game 4.

The Utah Jazz are also closing in on a second-round berth after a 96-92 victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles. Gordon Hayward scored 27 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Jazz, who took a 3-2 series lead with game six in Salt Lake City on Friday.