James Harden Lifts Rockets Past Thunder In Game 5 [Video]
The Houston Rockets have forced a Game 6 after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 107-100 on Wednesday night. James Harden led the way with 31 points, eight rebounds, and three assists against his old team.
The Thunder made a late run against the Rockets but failed to fully recover after falling behind early in the game. The Rockets got off to hot start as Harden made his first seven three-pointers for an early lead on the road.
The 23-year-old wasn’t expected to make much of an impact in Game 5 after missing most of the Rockets’ shootaround early Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms. The flu couldn’t stop Harden and neither could the Thunder as the Rockets went on to force a Game 6.
Outside of Harden’s big night, center Omer Asik pitched in 21 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Asik hadn’t scored more than nine points in each of the first three games of the series but has come on strong of late.
Every Rockets’ starter finished in double-figures in Game 5 and the team combined to shoot 47 percent from the floor. The Thunder managed to stay in the game throughout, even with the Rockets’ pressure on both sides of the court.
Kevin Durant led all scorers with 36 points but it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap in the final minutes. The Thunder’s strategy to send Omer Asik to the line for free throws in the final minutes didn’t pay off as Asik hit 8-of-12 to seal the win for the Rockets.
Here’s highlights of Game 5 if you missed it:
Jeremy Lin missed his second straight game due to a bruised chest muscle but should return for Game 6. The Thunder lost Russell Westbrook in Game 2 due to a right knee injury and have lost two-of-three since.
Westbrook underwent knee surgery this past Saturday and the Thunder will now have to move on without him. The series returns to Houston for Game 6 and a Rockets’ win will bring it right back to Oklahoma City for the final match-up on Sunday.
The Houston Rockets have won two straight games, but can they win two more to knock out the Oklahoma City Thunder after falling behind 3-0 to start the series?
[Image via Derral Chen]
