The Oklahoma City Thunder really needed a win on Sunday to even up their opening-round series against the Rockets, and for a while, it looked like they might just do that as they held a 14-point lead in the third quarter. Russell Westbrook had a triple-double before halftime – the fastest such stat line in NBA playoff history – but the Rockets would eventually close the gap as he missed all six of his shots in the period.
Things got progressively uglier down the stretch for both teams. Andre Roberson fell victim to the Rockets’ Hack-a-Shaq routine and managed to convert just two of his 12 free-throw attempts. The Thunder also suffered a mental lapse in crunch time when they, for some inexplicable reason, didn’t foul immediately on an inbounds play when they were down 108-107 with just under 18 seconds left and instead gave up a three-point play to Nene.
Westbrook was understandably fuming at the podium after the game, and when a media member tried to ask about his teammates’ struggles, he angrily and repeatedly shot him down, despite the reporter’s insistence that he have his question answered.
Westbrook finished with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists for the game, and did manage to get some help from his supporting cast. Steven Adams put up 18 points and seven rebounds on 8-for-10 shooting, Victor Oladipo added 15 points on 7-of-10 from the field, and Roberson chipped in 13 points on 5-for-9.
The Thunder now face elimination as the series shifts back to Houston for Game 5 on Tuesday.
