Rockets Bring First Win To Playoffs
HOUSTON (CBS Houston) During Monday's playoff action between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Rockets maintained fluidity and brought home a win to the city of Houston, 105-103.
As Houston's Chandler Parsons scored 27 points, Patrick Beverley scored 16 points. Houston's Jeremy Lin sat out Monday's game with that bruised chest muscle that has been an issue throughout much of the playoff series with OKC.
The Rockets carried a lead in the fourth quarter of each of the last two playoff games and ended up losing; Monday, however was their first win while carrying and capitalizing on their lead during the last quarter. With Monday's first win for the Rockets inside of the playoff saga, the series is now 3-1.
Kevin Durant who scored 38 points in Oklahoma City's second game without injured All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, added five quick points slicing Houston's lead to two on Monday. James Harden missed two shots for Houston after Durant's efforts. Harden also contributed 15 points during Monday's game at the Toyota Center, but also had 10 turnovers.
Derek Fisher made a 3-pointer to cut Houston's lead to 104-101 with less than three minutes remaining. The play was reviewed seconds later and the points were taken away due to the replays showing that the shot clock had expired.
Reggie Jackson made 18 points while Kevin Martin added 16.
Houston went on to receive 17 points from Omer Asik and 13 from Carlos Delfino.
With a more physical game Monday for Durant, he not only crashed into the scorer's table chasing a loose ball, but then flew into the crowd like a super-hero to save the ball on a bad pass from Harden, toward the end of the first half.
Monday's victory keeps Houston an active and viable contender in the playoffs and keeps them from being eliminated for the first time since 1996.
Game five will be held mid-week in Oklahoma City:
"Game 5 in OKC will be Wednesday at 8:30 PM CST on @csnhouston & @nbaontnt "
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 30, 2013
as stated from the Rockets' official Twitter account.
Houston's Chandler Parsons was quoted by Houston's Twitter account as stating that they have the tenacity and skill to beat OKC: "
"We know we can play with these guys, we know we can beat these guys. " - @chandlerparsons
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 30, 2013
Click here to view footage from Monday's game.
