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NBA Playoffs -- Rockets win Game 7, advance to West Finals (PHOTOS)
By Franco Ching Alsay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 18 May 2015
HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets advanced to the Western Conference finals on Sunday afternoon, capping their improbable series comeback with a 113-100 Game 7 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Toyota Center.
With the wire-to-wire win, the Rockets became only the 9th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit.
Houston guard James Harden, this season's MVP runner-up, topped all scorers with 31 points while veteran Trevor Ariza drilled 6 of 12 triples to finish with 22 for the Rockets, who shot 44.9 percent from the field (35 of 78) and 40 percent from 3-point range (12 of 30).
Despite falling behind early, 14-7, and committing nine of their 18 total turnovers in the opening half, the Clippers refused to fold easily fold and cut the Rockets deficit to 60-57 at the 8:32 mark of the third quarter.
But the Rockets steadied themselves and quickly built their advantage to 88-68 with 11:38 remaining in the final period.
Three other Rockets scored in double figures with Dwight Howard tallying 16 points and 15 rebounds. Josh Smith added 15 while Corey Brewer pitched in 11 off the bench.
"They destroyed us," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said as the Rockets controlled the boards, 48-40, and showed more aggressiveness by going to the free throw line 41 times, 24 more than Los Angeles.
Blake Griffin had 27 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers while Chris Paul registered 26 and 10 assists. DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 17 boards and Jamal Crawford settled with 17 off the bench.
The Rockets head to Oakland for a Western Conference Finals showdown with the No.1 overall seed Golden State Warriors. Game 1 of the best-of-7 affair is Tuesday night (Wednesday AM in Manila) at the Oracle Arena.
Photo: Forward Blake Griffin and head coach Doc Rivers leave the Toyota Center after their Game 7 defeat on Sunday. Photo also shows the fullhouse crowd at the Rockets' home floor. (PhilBoxing photos by Franco Ching Alsay).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Franco Ching Alsay.
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