Chris Paul was clutch late and Thunder force Game 7
Chris Paul notched 15 of his total 28 points (10/20 FG) in the fourth quarter to help Oklahoma City Thunder secure the victory 104–100 against the Houston Rockets and extend the series and force a Game 7 that will dictate who advances to the semi-finals and meet the Los Angeles Lakers.
Danilo Gallinari scored 12 of his total 25 points in the third quarter to cut Rockets 8-points lead to three points 65–62 and Luguentzz Dort added two three-pointers to give the Thunder the lead 75–77 at the end of the quarter. Dort shot the ball poorly from the perimeter in the first half but Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder urged him to keep shooting the ball. Rockets were not willing to guard him because they knew that he was struggling and missing a ton of shots from the perimeter. In Game 5 he went 0/9 from the three-point line but the rookie kept attempting shots. In the beginning of the game he would drive to the basket every time he got the ball but later he was told to shoot the ball every time he was open and he did. He finished the game with 13 points and three rebounds. He was 5-of-9 from the field and 2-of-6 from the perimeter.
James Harden had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists (11/22 FG, 3/11 3-PT, 5 turnovers), while Russell Westbrook had 17 points, four rebounds and three assists along with seven turnovers, one of which occured late in the game with 13.1 seconds left in the game with the Rockets having a 2-point deficit. They could definitely make a better play and close out the series but they lost this opportunity. In general though, it’s unacceptable for their superstars to have a combined 12 of the total 22 turnovers. It’s hard to win games when turn the ball over so many times and especially against the Thunder who have been very dangerous late in the game when they are behind in the score. If they get the ball in their hands, they can make great plays and presume upon this remiss style of game and use it to their advantage. That’s what they did tonight and that’s how they forced a Game 7 which will be conducted on Wednesday night at 9:00 PM.
Westbrook on the loss and the 22 turnovers that the team collected: “It’s kind of been on us, to be completely honest,” he said.
From one side, the Thunder shot 42.7% from the field, 33.3% from the perimeter and 88.9% from the free-throw line. From the other side, Rockets shot 45.2% from the field, 34.1% from the perimeter and 75.0% from the free-throw line.