Harden, Rockets withstand challenge by Timberwolves
HOUSTON — James Harden scored 44 points and powered a big fourth-quarter run that allowed the Houston Rockets to outlast the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-101 on Sunday in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.
The top-seeded Rockets had their hands full with the No. 8 Timberwolves on a night when Houston made just 10 of 37 3-pointers. Harden made 7 of 12, but Trevor Ariza, P.J. Tucker, Eric Gordon and Paul combined to make 3 of 22.
Houston kept All-star center Karl-anthony Towns in check, limiting him to eight points after he’d averaged 21.3 in leading the Wolves to their first playoff appearance since 2004. Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points to lead Minnesota.
The Timberwolves scored four straight points to get within three with about 30 seconds left. Chris Paul added two free throws after that for Houston, but a tip-in by Towns got Minnesota back within 3.
After a bad pass by Paul gave the Timberwolves a chance to tie it with 1.5 seconds left, Jimmy Butler’s shot was short.
The Timberwolves had a one-point lead with about seven minutes left when Houston used a 9-0 run, with the last seven points from Harden, to make it 94-86 with about four minutes to go.
At Boston, Al Horford had 24 points and 12 rebounds for Boston, which overcame Khris Middleton’s contested 35-foot 3-pointer at the fourth-quarter buzzer in the series opener.
The Celtics led 99-96 with 0.5 seconds left in regulation when Middleton took an inbounds pass on the far right wing and hit a tying shot.
Celtics 113, Bucks 107, OT —
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 35 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for Milwaukee before fouling out in overtime. Middleton had 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Terry Rozier scored 23 points, Jaylen Brown 20 and Jayson Taytum 19 for the Celtics.
At Oklahoma City, Paul George made an Oklahoma City playoff-record eight 3-pointers on 11 attempts while totaling 36 points in his first playoff game with the Thunder.
Russell Westbrook had 29 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for Oklahoma City, which took a 1-0 series lead.
Utah rookie Donovan Mitchell, who had 27 points and 10 rebounds, left in the second half with left foot soreness. He returned in the fourth quarter but was noticeably hobbling.
Thunder 116, Jazz 108 —