Spurs, Jazz lead 3-2
HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets are headed to the Western Conference semifinals after using strong defense and a balanced scoring attack to overcome another big game by Russell Westbrook and eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 105-99 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night.
James Harden had 34 points while Westbrook piled up 47 and came up just one assist shy of his fourth straight triple-double. But the Rockets didn’t allow anyone else to score more than 11 points while getting 22 from Lou Williams, 15 from Patrick Beverley and 14 from Nene.
The Thunder head home a year after advancing to the Western Conference finals after Houston took this series 4-1 despite struggling from 3-point range.
“Everything isn’t always going to be perfect,” Harden said. “You’ve got guys that step up and help you make big plays, always have your back ... we’re not worried about our shooting, our shooting is going to come.”
In San Antonio, Kawhi Leonard had 28 points and San Antonio rebounded from two discouraging road losses to beat Memphis, 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.
In Los Angeles, Gordon Hayward scored 27 points and Utah controlled the paint as the Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 96-92, to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series.
“It was good I got some open looks early,” said Hayward, who missed most of Utah’s win in Game 4. “I was definitely tired out there. There was points in time where I didn’t have legs. I’m pretty tired and thankful we have a couple days off.”
The Jazz made five three-pointers in the fourth quarter, including three by Rodney Hood, who finished with 16 points.
Joe Johnson hit two huge shots in the fourth, continuing his timely shooting against the Clippers.
Chris Paul’s 3-pointer drew the Clippers within two with five seconds left. After George Hill hit two free throws, Paul struggled getting the ball under control near the sideline and couldn’t do anything as time expired. He slammed the ball in frustration.
“They made the winning plays down the stretch, and therefore we lose,” Paul said.
Paul led the Clippers with 28 points and J.J. Redick added 26 with injured star Blake Griffin watching from the bench, his right foot encased in a black walking boot.
Back in Houston, the Rockets used a 5-1 run, with all their points coming on free throws, to pull away from the Thunder and make it 98-91.