Russell Westbrook recorded his second straight triple-double, but his teammates stepped up and helped him carry the load - and they proved to be the difference in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 115-113 win over the Houston Rockets. OKC now trails 2-1 in the series.
Westbrook (32 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists) became the first player since Jason Kidd in 2002 to record back-to-back triple-doubles in the playoffs, but it was "the others" that helped the Thunder build a double-digit lead in the first quarter.
.@VicOladipo gets the steal, the save, then the SLAM on the other end! #ThunderUp #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/RyYqIHF6ez
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 22, 2017
.@TajGibson22 blows past Nene, then finishes with AUTHORITY! #ThunderUp #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Y2FThPihbG
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 22, 2017
Gibson finished the game with 20 points, while Olapido chipped in 12 points and six rebounds. OKC built a 65-58 halftime lead, and were able to maintain a sizable advantage throughout the end of the third quarter.
Thunder goes on 13-4 run in Q3. #RoarLikeThunder #OKCvsHOU on @FOXSportsOK pic.twitter.com/ihYLh8aBsc
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 22, 2017
In this series, the Rockets have done their damage in the fourth quarter, and they threatened to steal this game late again. After trailing by 10 points with less than five minutes to go, they reeled off a 15-5 run to tie the game with a minute to play. However, Steven Adams tipped in a Westbrook miss on the ensuing possession, ensuring the game for the Thunder.
.@JHarden13 ties the game for the Rockets...then @RealStevenAdams tips in the Westbrook miss to give OKC the lead back! #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/4Tviz1wB0S
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 22, 2017
James Harden had another spectacular game with 44 points and six assists to lead the Rockets, but he also turned it over seven times.
Ryan Anderson (18 points) was the only other Houston starter who scored in double figures, while Lou Williams (22 points) provided a needed spark off the bench.
Oklahoma City will try to tie the series in Game 4, which is Sunday at 3:30 pm ET on ABC.
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