The Houston Rockets are heading to the Conference Finals. The Rockets punched their ticket to the penultimate round of the NBA playoffs by beating the Utah Jazz, 112-102, on Tuesday night. The win gave Houston a 4-1 series victory over their foes, and means they’ll have a few days to rest before they take on either the Golden State Warriors or the New Orleans Pelicans.
The story of the night was that Chris Paul came up big as he earned a spot in the Conference Finals for the first time in his decorated career. Paul was absolutely outstanding in Game 5, going for 41 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. He was lights out from the field, too, going 13-for-22 with an 8-for-10 mark from three.
Most impressive was Paul’s ball security, as he didn’t commit a single turnover despite having the ball in his hands for much of the game. This meant that Paul made a little bit of history, becoming the first player to have a game this good in the postseason.
Chris Paul the first player in NBA history to have at least 40 points with double-digit assists and no turnovers in a playoff game.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) May 9, 2018
These types of things oftentimes require making comically narrow criteria to make a player look extra impressive — shout out to Thaddeus Young — but this one was rather simple: 40 points, 10+ assists, no turnovers. It is incredible that Paul was able to be this good and in complete control of his surroundings in what might have been the biggest basketball game of his career.
Paul has a reputation for not getting the job done in the postseason, and while it is a bit unfair, it’s something that followed him as he went to Houston. The chance to turn the tables on that narrative presented itself on Tuesday, and Paul responded by doing something we’ve never seen before.
