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Wednesday 8 May 2019
Harden helps Rockets tie up series with Warriors

HOUSTON (AP) — James one of two free throws with back to Golden State for
Harden and the Houston 11.5 seconds left. Kevin Du- Game 5 on Wednesday
Rockets dug out of a 0-2 rant missed a 3 after that. night with momentum on
hole to even their Western But the Warriors got the their side after their over-
Conference semifinals se- rebound and Curry also time win in Game 3 before
ries with the Golden State missed a 3-point attempt Monday night's victory.
Warriors after another before Golden State was The Warriors got 34 points
game where they fought, forced to foul Chris Paul. from Kevin Durant, who
scrapped and held off a "We got a couple of wide- had 46 in the Game 3 loss.
late rally to get a victory. open looks," Durant said. Curry, who was criticized
Harden scored 38 points "They just didn't fall for us." after shooting 7 for 23 in
and the Rockets got a 112- Paul made one of two free Game 3, got off to a good
108 win on Monday night throws with 2.9 seconds left start, scoring 11 points in
to even the best-of seven to secure the victory. the first quarter. He cooled
series at 2-2. Golden State coach Steve off after that, but finished
"When you're dealing with Kerr was asked about the with 30 points on 12 of 25
these guys, if you let Klay physical play of the Rock- shooting. "I didn't think we
(Thompson) and Steph ets, who have several play- got great shots for much of
(Curry) run around and ers who are much stockier the night," Kerr said. "We've
shoot 3s you don't have no than his squad. got to be more poised and
chance," Harden said. "The "They've got a lot of middle that has to be a focus."
only chance we have is to linebackers on that team," Eric Gordon added 20
be in to their bodies and he said. "They're sturdy and points for Houston and P.J.
make every shot that they we're like volleyball players, Tucker had 17 points and
take contested." long and lean ... everybody 10 rebounds.
The Rockets were up by tries to be physical with us Despite two straight win,
nine before the Golden because they should. That's the Rockets still don't think
State scored the next sev- the best way to try to beat Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, falls down after they've played their best.
en points, capped by a 3 us." being bumped by Houston Rockets guard James Harden during "We've got to be better,"
from Stephen Curry, to get After losing the first two the first half of Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball play- Tucker said. "We've got to
within 110-108 with 19 sec- games of the series on the off series, Monday, May 6, 2019, in Houston. be more aggressive. We've
onds left. Harden made road, the Rockets head Associated Press got to pick it up."q

BUCKS CELTICS the exits, but a lone fan Boston led by as many
Continued from Page 18 shouted at Irving, "Don't as 11 points before Con-
"But you have confidence leave!" naughton made a long 3
that that group can play." "I know probably to the at the first-quarter buzzer to
George Hill scored 15 points outside world we prob- make it 30-22. With about
— nine in the third quar- ably don't stand much of five minutes left in the sec-
ter — and Pat Connaugh- a chance," Celtics Cen- ond, the Bucks scored eight
ton had nine points and ter Al Horford, who scored straight points to tie it.
10 rebounds off the bench 20. "We're at a low point Boston led 67-65 before
for Milwaukee, which out- as a group, I guess that's Milwaukee scored 13 of
scored Boston's bench 42- the reality. We'll have to the next 14 points — seven
16 in Game 3. After sitting bring that fight to them on of them by Hill, and all of
out the last 8:18 of the third Wednesday." them with Antetokounmpo
quarter, Antetokounmpo DIFFERENT YEARS on the bench — to open a
scored 17 points with seven Boston beat Milwaukee double-digit lead.
rebounds in the fourth to in seven games in the first "Yeah that was killer," Celt-
help the Bucks pull away. Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving (11) and teammates, from left to right, round last year and went ics coach Brad Stevens
"It's always hard to take out Jaylen Brown, Marcus Morris, Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hay- on to lose to LeBron James said. "Their bench comes
ward wait for the ball to be put in play by the Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis; let's start there. But during the second half of Game 4 of a second-round NBA bas- and the Cavaliers in seven in, they've had no dropoff.
at the end of the day, we ketball playoff series in Boston, Monday, May 6, 2019. games in last year's confer- Connaughton's been ex-
are conscious of trying to Associated Press ence finals. They will have cellent. George Hill's been
keep him fresh," Budenhol- to win three straight — two absolutely tremendous."
zer said. "It's hard to find the inson fell to Philadelphia's range. of them on the road — to TIP-INS
words (for) what he does Allen Iverson and Dikembe "Who cares? I'm a bas- return. Milwaukee has won four
for our team, both ends of Mutombo in seven games. ketball player," said the "I know probably to the straight road playoff
the court. He's special, but "Good players, when they six-time All-Star, who can outside world we proba- games. ... Marcus Smart,
he's very hungry. He wants have an opportunity like become a free agent this bly don't stand much of a who has been out since
more, and he's playing that this, they don't waste it," summer. "I'm trying to do it chance," said Celtics Cen- tearing a muscle in his side
way." Antetokounmpo said. "At all. For me, the 22 shots — I ter Al Horford, who scored during the second-to-last
The Bucks have won three the end of the day, I've got should have shot 30." 20. "We're at a low point game of the regular sea-
straight since losing the to do whatever it takes to After leading all scorers with as a group, I guess that's son, played 15 minutes and
opener of the best-of- help my team win." 26 points in Boston's Game the reality. We'll have to scored three points, mak-
seven series at home and SUMMER TIME 1 blowout, Irving has made bring that fight to them on ing 1 of 7 attempts from
can eliminate the Celt- In what might be his last 19 of 62 shots and just 4 of Wednesday." 3-point range. ... It was
ics in Game 5 at home on home game for the Celtics, 20 from 3-point range. He Marcus Morris Sr. scored 18 Antetokounmpo's eighth
Wednesday night. They Kyrie Irving scored 23 points left the court with a few with 14 rebounds, and Jay- career 30-point playoff
have not reached the East with 10 assists. But he was seconds remaining on the son Tatum had 17 points game, tying Marques John-
finals since the '01 team of 7 for 22 from the floor, in- clock; many in the crowd and 10 boards for Boston. son for second in franchise
Ray Allen and Glenn Rob- cluding 1 for 7 from 3-point had already headed for EARLY RUNS history.q