Westbrook and George help Thunder over Rockets
AP
HOUSTON — Russell Westbrook and Paul George each scored 24 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder used a timely fourth-quarter run to pull away for a 108-102 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
The Thunder were down one with about seven minutes left before scoring the next 11 points.
Oklahoma City is vying with several teams for the final playoff spots in the loaded Western Conference. The victory gives the Thunder a 2-1 win in the season series and snaps the Rockets’ 20-game home winning streak.
James Harden had 26 points for Houston, and Chris Paul added 17.
Paul hit a step-back jumper and Gerald Green scored to give the Rockets a 92-91 lead with 7:09 left. But Westbrook scored five quick points to start an 11-0 run by Oklahoma City that made it 102-92 with about four minutes remaining.
Houston went scoreless for more than four minutes, missing seven shots and committing three turnovers as Oklahoma City pulled away. The Thunder also blocked three shots in that span.
The Rockets scored five straight points with less than a minute left to get within five, but George made two free throws to help secure the win.
Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points for Oklahoma City, including three of the Thunder’s 10 3-pointers.
The Thunder led by as many as 11 in the first half, but Houston used a 5-1 spurt take a 62-61 lead at halftime.
TIP-INS
Thunder: Westbrook also had 10 assists. … Oklahoma City had five blocked shots, including two from Jerami Grant. … Steven Adams added 12 points.
Rockets: Paul received a technical foul in the second quarter after arguing after being called for an offensive foul. … Ryan Anderson missed his second straight game with a sprained left ankle. … Eric Gordon also sat out for the second straight game with a sore left ankle.
UP NEXT
Thunder: Visit Heat on Monday night.
Rockets: Visit Lakers on Tuesday night.
