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A20 SPORTS
Friday 26 april 2019

James Harden helps Rockets eliminate Jazz with 100-93 win

By KRISTIE RIEKEN “They’re so cerebral that
AP Sports Writer they’re able to find weak-
HOUSTON (AP) — In a series nesses in your defense,” he
where their shots weren’t said.
falling like normal, the Harden struggled to get
Houston Rockets managed going early and didn’t
to close it out with some score in the first quarter. But
tough defense. after missing his first seven
James Harden scored 26 shots and 11 of his first 12
points and the Rockets out- attempts, he finally found a
lasted the Utah Jazz 100-93 rhythm.
on Wednesday night to win Royce O’Neal came off
their first-round playoff se- the bench to lead Utah
ries 4-1. with 18 points, Rubio had
Houston advanced to the 17 and Jae Crowder add-
Western Conference semi- ed 15. Gobert wasn’t much
finals for the third straight of a factor in this one, scor-
season and will face the ing just nine points with 10
winner of the Los Angeles rebounds.
Clippers-Golden State War- The Jazz opened the fourth
riors series. quarter with an 8-0 run to
The Rockets had 12 steals take a 77-75 lead with 9
and 12 blocks, the first play- minutes left. Rubio had two
off game where they had steals and a basket to help
double figures in both since Utah go on top.
Game 5 of the 1994 West- Houston ended its scoring
ern Conference finals, just drought after that, scor-
before they went on to win ing the next five points,
their first title. capped by a three-point
“We didn’t make as many play from Harden to make
shots as we wanted to ... it 80-77.
but these last few games Rubio made a 3-pointer for
we hung our hat on de- Utah before Paul scored
fense,” Harden said. five quick points to extend
Ricky Rubio cut Houston’s Houston’s advantage to
lead to 94-93 on a jump 85-80 with 7 minutes left.
shot with about a minute Houston trailed by seven
left. P.J. Tucker missed two late in the second quarter
free throws, but grabbed before using a 14-3 run to
a loose ball seconds later lead by four entering the
and was fouled again. This third. Harden scored eight
time he made both shots to of his 10 first-half points dur-
make it 96-93. ing that run. The Rockets
Harden blocked a shot by kept it going to start the
Ruby Gobert on Utah’s next third, using a 10-2 spurt to
possession and he made make it 56-44 with about
two free throws to extend 10 minutes left in the quar-
the lead to 98-93 with 38 ter. Harden and Tucker had
seconds left. 3-pointers in that span and
Donovan Mitchell, who Capela added a dunk.
was just 4 of 22, missed a Danuel House made a
3-pointer after that and 3-pointer and Harden add-
Chris Paul added two more ed a layup seconds later
free throws to secure the to leave Houston up by
victory. 11 later in the quarter. But
“We didn’t want to go O’Neal made a 3 soon af-
back to Utah,” Paul said. ter that to before Mitchell
“We wanted to take care added a three-point play
of business tonight. All night to get Utah within 68-63
we were talking about en- with about 2 minutes left in
ergy. It’s always hard to the third.
beat a team and close Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Derrick Austin Rivers ended Utah’s
them out.” Favors (15) during the first half in Game 5 of an NBA basketball playoff series, in Houston, Wednes- run with a 3-pointer to ex-
The Rockets got a solid day, April 24, 2019. tend Houston’s lead to 71-
game from Clint Capela, Associated Press 63.
who had 16 points and 10 “I felt a lot better,” Capela aged just 12 points on a be better.” The Jazz cut the lead to 4
rebounds. He acknowl- said. “I definitely felt like night he missed all nine of Jazz coach Quin Snyder with less than 30 seconds
edged having trouble another person than (I did) his 3-point attempts. lamented the difficulties left in the third after scor-
breathing in the Game 4 the last game.” “I’m upset but I’m going of dealing with a veteran ing four straight points, but
loss because of an upper After scoring 31 points to to be better,” the second- coach like Mike D’Antoni Nene made a basket at the
respiratory infection and lead Utah to the victory year player said. “Simply and perennial All-Stars Paul buzzer to leave Houston up
was held to just four points. in Game 4, Mitchell man- put. I wasn’t tonight and I’ll and Harden. 75-69 entering the fourth.q