Paul has 28, helps Thunder force Game 7 against the Rockets

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Chris Paul and the Thunder had their backs to the bubble wall, a tougher spot than usual when facing elimination.

This time meant lots of packing, getting ready for a potential return home after a long time away. They weren't interested in their trip — or their season — ending.

"We're not ready to go yet," Paul said.

He made sure they wouldn't. Paul gave the Thunder at least one more game at Disney, scoring 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter for a 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday night in Game 6 of a Western Conference first-round series.

Paul made two free throws with 13.1 seconds left and the game tied at 100, and Danilo Gallinari added two more after a turnover by Russell Westbrook to finish it off.

Game 7 will be Wednesday night, with the winner advancing to face the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. James Harden said the Rockets' mindset won't change.

"To go win," he said. "It's simple."

It gives the West two Game 7s, with Denver and Utah set to play theirs on Tuesday.

In a game that was close all the way — neither team led by double digits — the Thunder bounced back from a blowout in Game 5. And nobody handles close games better than Paul, who led the NBA with 150 points in clutch situations, defined as the last five minutes of a game in which the point differential is five or fewer points.

"We expect him to make those shots, especially at the end of the game," Gallinari said. Gallinari added 25 points. Harden had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Rockets, while Robert Covington had 18 and Westbrook 17 in his second game back from a right quadriceps strain.

But they combined for 12 of the Rockets' 22 turnovers, saying Houston has lost the close games more than Oklahoma City won them.

"It's kind of been on us, to be completely honest," Westbrook said.

Houston got its most dominant playoff victory in Game 5, winning 114-80 after holding Oklahoma City to 31.5% shooting. But the Thunder shook that off, just as they did a 2-0 deficit in the series.