Harden puts away Thunder for good
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 over the Thunder in Houston on Tuesday night to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
The Thunder head home a year after advancing to the Western Conference finals with Houston taking this series 4-1.
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 in which 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 All-Star Kevin Durant in free agency.
He 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.
Spurs 116, Grizzlies 103
In San Antonio, Kawhi Leonard had 28 points and the Spurs rebounded from two discouraging road losses to beat the Grizzlies 116-103 and take a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.
San Antonio shot 14 for 28 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 Thursday night in Memphis.