The Rockets and Thunder moved one step closer to becoming the marquee series in the first round of the playoffs on Tuesday night, as Oklahoma City erased a 13-point deficit entering the fourth quarter to win 112-111.
James Harden and the Rockets controlled the game throughout, leading after every quarter but the last, as the reigning MVP had another spectacular night with 39 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Thunder’s duo of Russell Westbrook and Paul George came alive in the fourth quarter to lead a furious comeback for the win, putting them firmly in sixth in the West and dropping Houston to third, a half-game behind the Nuggets.
Westbrook posted another triple-double with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, with his biggest dime coming on the final possession. That’s when he was able to find George in the corner, down two, for his fourth three-pointer of the game to give OKC the one-point advantage with just under two seconds to play.
Paul George adding to the list of ridiculous things that happened in the NBA tonight 💪 https://t.co/0wgrzTwd7U
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) April 10, 2019
It was a great trap break by Westbrook and Steven Adams, and an even better decision to look up and find George rather than hoist a pull-up three as he has been wont to do in the past. However, there was still ample time for the Rockets to get a game-winner of their own, and they came inches from making that happen.
Harden was able to get free of Paul George at the top of the key (with help from a push-off), but saw his wide open three-pointer to win bounce off the left side of the rim and fall off harmlessly.
James Harden got a GREAT look with the push off 😳 https://t.co/W1ON2MxMWZ
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) April 10, 2019
The win moves the Thunder a game clear of the Spurs and Clippers, currently tied for the seventh and eighth spots, with a game to play, giving them a leg up on getting the 6-seed. The loss drops Houston to a half-game back of Denver, with no more games for the Rockets to play and the Nuggets facing the Timberwolves at home on Wednesday night.
If things stand as is, the Rockets and Thunder would meet in the first round, while Denver would play the Spurs and the Warriors would get the Clippers. However, there’s still plenty of shuffling that can happen, but a Rockets-Thunder series would certainly be the juiciest of the first round matchups in either conference.
