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SPORTS Wednesday 9 May 2018

Paul scores 41 as Rockets eliminate Jazz 112-102

Game 5. P.J. Tucker scored secutive 3-pointers to put Harden capped the run
a playoff career-best 19 Houston back on top 81-80 with a dunk after steal-
points, and James Harden with about 10 minutes left. ing the ball from Mitchell.
added 18 points. Mitchell’s Utah regained the lead Mitchell was injured on that
huge third quarter left the on a basket by O’Neale play and grabbed his left
Jazz up by 3 to begin the before Houston used an leg. He had to be helped
fourth. Derrick Favors made 11-5 spurt, with the first five to the bench and was
a layup for Utah to start the points from Gerald Green, quickly taken to the locker
final quarter before Paul to take a 92-87 lead with room with the help of two
and P.J. Tucker hit con- about seven minutes left. people.q

Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul, right, watches from the
sidelines during the first half in Game 5 of an NBA basketball
second-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, Tuesday,
May 8, 2018, in Houston.

By KRISTIE RIEKEN third quarter before leaving
AP Sports Writer with about seven minutes
HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Paul left with an apparent left
scored a playoff career- leg injury. Houston returns
high 41 points with eight to the conference finals for
3-pointers to finally reach the first time since 2015. It’s
the conference finals, help- the second straight season
ing the Houston Rockets the Jazz lost in this round af-
eliminate the Utah Jazz 112- ter being swept by Golden
102 in Game 5 on Tuesday State last season.
night. It will be Houston’s The top-seeded Rockets
second trip to the Western led by eight points after
Conference finals in four a 3-pointer by Paul with
years and the first ever for about six minutes left. The
Paul. The point guard has Jazz scored the next sev-
been panned for failing to en points, highlighted by
get past the second round a 3-pointer from Royce
in his nine previous trips to O’Neale, before Paul
the postseason. made eight quick points to
Houston will meet the win- push Houston’s lead to 105-
ner of the series between 96 with about three min-
Golden State and New Or- utes left. Joe Ingles made a
leans, which the Warriors basket for Utah before Paul
lead 3-1. Paul, a nine-time added another basket to
All-Star in his first season with make it 107-98. The crowd
Houston after an offseason began chanting “CP3” re-
trade from the Los Angeles peatedly as Paul dribbled
Clippers, also had 10 as- down the court on the next
sists and seven rebounds. possession. The Jazz were
His previous career-best in without Ricky Rubio and
the playoffs was 35 points, Dante Exum because of
which he accomplished hamstring injuries. Rubio has
three times. Star rookie missed the entire series with
Donovan Mitchell had 22 of his injury, and Exum was in-
his 24 points for Utah in the jured in the third quarter of