Friday delivered two crucial wins with Russell Westbrook leading the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Houston Rockets with a triple-double and Isaiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics defeating the Chicago Bulls. Both teams are now a game behind in their series.
Westbrook leads Thunder past Rockets
OKC claimed their first series win in beating the Houston Rockets 115-113 on the back of Russell Westbrook’s 32-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double, Taj Gibson had 20 points, and Nigerian-American guard Victor Oladipo and Andre Roberson combined for 24 with 12 points apiece.
James Harden led the Rockets with 44 points, six rebounds and six assists, Lou Williams had 22 points and four rebounds, while Ryan Anderson finished with 18 points and six rebounds.
Celtics get one back
The Boston Celtics took advantage of the change in the Chicago Bulls backcourt in the absence of injured point guard Rajon Rondo and beat them 104-87 – their first win of the series. Al Horford had 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals, Isaiah Thomas 16 points and nine assists, and Avery Bradley 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
The Bulls were led by Dwyane Wade with 18 points, Jimmy Butler had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Robin Lopez chipped in 12 points and six rebounds.
Clippers take Utah
The LA Clippers beat the Jazz 111-106 in Utah. Chris Paul had a 34-point, 10-assist double-double, DeAndre Jordan a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double, and Cameroonian forward Luc Mbah a Moute finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 40 points, eight rebounds and four assists, George Hill had 26 points and four rebounds, and Joe Johnson ended the game with 15 points.
By Kaunda Chama
