Rockets hold on for 3- 2 lead
Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 24 points, and his steal on Golden State’s last possession secured a 98- 94 victory Thursday night in Houston that gave the Rockets a 3- 2 lead in the Western Conference finals.
The Rockets enter Game 6 on Saturday night in Oakland one win away from knocking off the defending champions and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning back- to- back titles in 1994- 95.
Chris Paul scored 20 points and James Harden struggled for his 19, but Paul had to leave the game in the final minute after injuring his right hamstring. Coach Mike D’Antoni said Paul would be evaluated Friday.
Kevin Durant scored 29 points for the Warriors.
The Rockets won a second straight defensive struggle between the two potent offenses.
“We had to rely on our defense once again,” Harden said. “Game 4, we weren’t making shots, but defensively we were really good. Same thing tonight.”
◆ The Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Rockets’ Harden were unanimously voted AllNBA first team, with James earning the nod for a record 12th time in his 15- year career.
NFL No formal vote on anthem
The NFL didn’t take a roll- call vote when it passed the new anthem resolution taking effect this season, league spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed. Instead, it called for a show of hands to test support, which came back with zero nays, an unofficial process that is often used.
League officials wanted to make sure that the resolution would not fail, and so after hours of debate, they called for the show of hands. The informal nature of it surprised some in the room.
◆ Richie Incognito told police at a South Florida gym that he was “running” secret government documents through his smart phone after an alleged altercation in which he threw weights and tennis balls at a gym patron Wednesday morn- ing, according to a police report obtained by USA Today. An agitated Incognito told officers that he had taken the supplement Shroom Tech as he explained what led to the incident.
◆ The Packers signed former Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis.
MLB Rays to start relievers again
The Rays are taking their bullpen “opener” theory to the next level, starting relievers in all three games this weekend against the Orioles. Reliever
Sergio Romo is scheduled to start Friday night and Sunday against the Orioles, and Ryne
Stanek will take the mound Saturday.
◆ Charlie Morton remained unbeaten, Alex Bregman and Jake Marisnick hit three- run homers and the Astros defeated the Indians 8- 2. Morton ( 7- 0) allowed two runs in six innings and extended his career- best winning streak to 10 games.
◆ Brandon Nimmo reached base five times in the Mets’ 5- 0 victory over the Brewers. Nimmo raised his on- base percentage to .450, best in the majors among players with at least 100 plate appearances, with a career- high four hits and a walk.
◆ Baseballs really have been getting extra lift since 2015, and it isn’t from the exaggerated uppercuts batters are taking, according to a 10- person committee of researchers hired by the commissioner’s office. But the panel struck out trying to pinpoint the cause.
◆ Red Sox star second baseman Dustin Pedroia will be activated from the disabled list after missing the first 50 games while recovering from knee surgery.
GOLF Na grabs lead at Colonial
Kevin Na chipped in from the rough more than 90 feet away for an incredible birdie to close out an 8- under 62 for a one- stroke lead over Charley
Hoffman after the first round of the Fort Worth Invitational at Colonial. Sun- Times wires