Harden ignites Rockets
James Harden had 34 points and his supporting cast helped the Rockets overcome a 47-point game by Russell Westbrook to get a 105-99 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder last night in Houston to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
The Thunder head home a year after advancing to the conference finals after Houston took this series 4-1.
The Rockets used a 5-1 run, with all their points coming on free throws, to pull away from the Thunder and make it 98-91. Victor Oladipo threw a pass about 5 feet above Westbrook’s head and out of bounds on the next possession and Harden made a layup on the other end with about 3 minutes left.
The Rockets began eating up the clock after that and Oklahoma City missed shot after shot that could have closed the gap.
Houston couldn’t add to its lead though and the Thunder cut it to four points twice in the final seconds, with the second one coming on a basket by Alex Abrines. But Harden made two free throws both times they got close to secure the win.
After scoring 20 points in the third quarter, Westbrook made just 2-of-11 fourth-quarter shots in a disappointing end to a stellar season where he became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple-double by scoring an NBA-best 31.6 points a game, with 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists. He also set an NBA record for most triple-doubles with 42 to help the Thunder withstand the loss of AllStar Kevin Durant in free agency.
Westbrook had 11 rebounds and nine assists to come just shy of his fourth straight triple-double in this series, but he made just five of a career-high 18 3-point attempts.
Lou Williams added 22 points and Patrick Beverley had 15 to help the Rockets get out of the first round for the second time in three seasons in front of a crowd that included Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.
Spurs 116, Grizzlies 103 — Kawhi Leonard had 28 points and host San Antonio rebounded from two discouraging road losses to beat Memphis and take a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.
San Antonio shot 14-for28 on 3-point attempts, two off its postseason record, including 5-for-7 shooting by Patty Mills.
Mills finished with 20 points and Tony Parker added 16.
Mike Conley had 26 points and Marc Gasol added 17 for the Grizzlies, who have lost nine straight postseason games in San Antonio.
With each team winning on its homecourt, Game 6 is tomorrow night in Memphis.
Jazz 96, Clippers 92 — Gordon Hayward scored 27 points and visiting Utah controlled the paint to beat Los Angeles and take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Hayward returned after missing most of Utah’s win in Game 4 because of food poisoning that caused him to lose weight and energy.
Chris Paul’s 3-pointer drew the Clippers within two with 5 seconds left. After George Hill hit two free throws, Paul struggled getting the ball under control near the sideline and couldn’t do anything as time expired.
The Jazz made five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, including three by Rodney Hood, who finished with 16 points.
Paul led the Clippers with 28 points and J.J. Redick added 26 with injured star Blake Griffin watching from the bench, his right foot encased in a black walking boot.
The Jazz can clinch the series with a victory in Game 6 on Friday night in Salt Lake City.
Elsewhere in the NBA — Drake will host the NBA’s first-ever awards show this June. The rapper will preside over the June 26 ceremony in New York, which will be televised live on TNT.
The Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man Award, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year will be announced during the show.
The league and Turner Sports say other awards will be open to fan voting. Those categories and finalists will be announced later this week.
Award winners have previously been announced separately throughout the NBA postseason.