Thunder slip past Rockets
Russell Westbrook turned in a triple- double with 32 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 44- point performance by James Harden to edge the visiting Houston Rockets 115- 113 on Friday and cut their deficit in the Western Conference first- round series to 2- 1. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Oklahoma City.
Former Bulls forward Taj Gibson added 20 points on 10- for- 13 shooting for the Thunder, who shot 55.4 percent from the field. Lou Williams added 22 points and Ryan Anderson 18 for the Rockets, who had a chance to win in the closing seconds, but Harden missed a three- pointer just before the buzzer.
Clippers 111, Jazz 106
Chris Paul scored 34 points and handed out 10 assists, DeAndre Jordan added 17 points and 13 rebounds and the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 40- point effort by Gordon Hayward to slip past the host Utah Jazz and take a 2- 1 lead in the Western Conference firstround series. Game 4 is set for Sunday in Salt Lake City.
The Clippers played the second half without forward Blake Griffin, who suffered a bruised right big toe late in the second quarter. He was to be re- evaluated after the game.
This and that
Golden StateWarriors starKevin Durant ( strained left calf) took part in a light practice but stillwas listed as questionable for Game 3 of the team’s Western Conference firstround series Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Durant suffered the injury in the third quarter of Game 1 and sat out Game 2.
Injured Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi ( strained left calf) will miss at least Games 3 and 4 of the team’s Eastern Conference first- round series against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Trail Blazers upgraded center Jusuf Nurkic ( non- displaced fracture in right leg) to doubtful for Game 3 of their Western Conference first- round series Saturday against theWarriors.