Teams are going to come and help and then our shooters have open shots," Harden said.The Rockets made their move in the third quarter when they outscored the Jazz 38-19. They were coming at us and we weren't surprised but we weren't really into them and we didn't guard as well as we could (in the second period). "It's cash money when they guard like that," Westbrook said.The Rockets made eight of their first nine 3-point attempts to take an early eight-point lead.Taking advantage of Houston's lack of rim protection, Clarkson scored 20 points in the first half to help the Jazz recover and move in front.The Jazz played zone defense at times along with some non-traditional defensive matchups against the small-ball Rockets. The Rockets held the Jazz to 6-for-19 shooting in the third quarter and forced five turnovers. That said, I thought in the third quarter, we didn't have the same energy we needed on the defensive end. . What are you going to do?"
... Westbrook demonstratively demanded a replay on a foul by The Raptors have announced that Kyle Lowry, who has a sprained ankle but officially was upgraded to probable Saturday, would be available to play in Game 1 against the Celtics.Matt Barnes picks Boston to not only beat Toronto, but to represent the East in the NBA Finals.The NBA playoffs are underway. If they play us regular, we'll run our offense and still get it," Harden said.If Harden and Westbrook are rolling, unique strategies don't seem to matter. The Rockets' 20 3-pointers gave them a 60-21 edge on shots from long range. "We took the challenge better. I shoot.
James Harden had 43 points for his 26th straight game with at least 30 points in the Houston Rockets' 125-98 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.Luka Doncic is a man of few words when it comes to defining what makes a superstar in the NBA.In addition to the series-saving performances from their celebrated trio of skilled guards, the Oklahoma City Thunder placed so much ballyhoo on the defensive effort of rookie Luguentz Dort that it was all but guaranteed the Houston Rockets would...Kawhi Leonard goes off for 33 points and 14 rebounds as he helps lead the Clippers to a 111-97 Game 6 win over the Mavericks to advance to the second round of the playoffs.Derrick Favors blocks Austin Rivers's driving layupJames Ennis III makes 2-foot driving dunk (Gerald Green assists)Royce O'Neale blocks Eric Gordon 's 2-foot driving layupKenneth Faried makes 2-foot dunk (James Harden assists)Eric Gordon makes three point jumper (James Harden assists)PJ Tucker makes two point shot (James Harden assists)Derrick Favors blocks Austin Rivers 's 5-foot layupJames Harden makes 8-foot driving floating jump shotNene Hilario makes 19-foot jumper (Austin Rivers assists)Gerald Green makes 24-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists)Austin Rivers makes 26-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Hartenstein assists)Eric Gordon makes 4-foot two point shot (Nene Hilario assists)James Ennis III makes 3-foot dunk (Austin Rivers assists)Ekpe Udoh blocks Austin Rivers 's 5-foot driving floating jump shotGerald Green makes 23-foot three point jumper (Austin Rivers assists)Gerald Green makes three point jumper (Austin Rivers assists)Gerald Green makes 22-foot three point jumper (Austin Rivers assists)Joe Ingles makes 25-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)Jae Crowder makes three point jumper (Joe Ingles assists)Jae Crowder makes 24-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)Donovan Mitchell misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shotRoyce O'Neale makes two point shot (Donovan Mitchell assists)Royce O'Neale makes 26-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)Georges Niang makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ricky Rubio assists)Derrick Favors makes 3-foot dunk (Kyle Korver assists)James Harden blocks Royce O'Neale 's 12-foot jumperPJ Tucker blocks Donovan Mitchell 's 3-foot driving layupJoe Ingles makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ricky Rubio assists)Kenneth Faried blocks Ricky Rubio 's 31-foot three point jumperDonovan Mitchell makes 26-foot three point jumper (Rudy Gobert assists)Jae Crowder makes 25-foot three point jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)Donovan Mitchell makes two point shot (Joe Ingles assists)Donovan Mitchell misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shotKyle Korver makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jae Crowder assists)Kyle Korver makes 23-foot jumper (Donovan Mitchell assists)Tyler Cavanaugh makes two point shot (Grayson Allen assists)Ekpe Udoh makes 4-foot hook shot (Naz Mitrou-Long assists) If we guard at a high level like we've been doing, the sky's the limit for us," Harden said.Rockets: Gordon, who scored 50 against Utah on Jan. 27, returned from a three-game absence with a leg bruise. "It obviously didn't work," Harden said when asked about putting the 7-foot-1 Gobert on the 6-3 Westbrook.The Rockets made the Jazz pay when they occasionally double-teamed Harden and couldn't rotate fast enough to the perimeter shooters. I get to the basket. "Every game has been different so we just need to figure out how they are going to guard us and attack it.