Cavaliers sweep Pacers with 119-114 win. NHL: Capitals and Senators advance.
Rockets’ big man scores 28 points on 12-of-12 shooting as Houston goes ahead 3-1
oklahoma city» James Harden’s shot was off, and one of the most unlikely players on Houston’s roster came to the rescue.
Nene scored 28 points on perfect shooting from the field, and the Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-109 on Sunday to take a 3-1 lead in their firstround playoff series.
The 6-foot-11 former Nuggets center made all 12 of his shots and had 10 rebounds. It was an impressive performance from a reserve who averaged nine points per game in the regular season.
“He puts the work in,” Harden said. “He’s a true vet. He’s in the weight room. He’ doing all the proper things to get his body and his mind right to go out there and compete at a high level every single night. Tonight, it paid off.”
Harden finished with 16 points on 5-for-16 shooting, but he had other help, too. Eric Gordon and Lou Williams each scored 18 points, and Trevor Ariza finished with 14.
Houston can close out the series Tuesday at home.
“That’s what a team is for,” Harden said. “It’s not just one guy. I’ve believed in trusting these guys all year long.
Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook had a tripledouble by halftime and finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists. The Thunder said Westbrook joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players to claim three straight playoff tripledoubles.
Celtics 104, Bulls 95 B chicago» Isaiah Thomas scored 33 points, and the Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls to tie their firstround playoff series at 2-all.
Boston blew a 20-point lead, but Thomas keyed a third-quarter run that put the Celtics back on top after Chicago briefly went ahead.
Boston’s Gerald Green made four 3-pointers on his way to 18 points.
Jazz 105, Clippers 98 B salt lake city» Joe Johnson scored 28 points, and the Jazz beat the Clippers 105-98 on Sunday night to tie their first-round series at 2-all.
Johnson, who hit the winning shot in Game 1, scored 11 straight Jazz points during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter, including a pull-up jumper for a 91-90 lead with 3:55 remaining after trailing by seven early in the period.
Gordon Hayward left early due to food poisoning.
Cavaliers 106, Pacers 102 B indianapolis» LeBron James made a 3-pointer with 68 seconds left Cleveland Cavaliers hung on for a series-clinching victory at Indiana.
James finished with 33 points and 10 rebounds.