MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — James Harden gave Houston quite the jump-start with 22 of the team’s 50 points in the third quarter, as the Rockets cruised past the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-100 to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Chris Paul scored 15 of his 25 points in the near-record third for the Rockets, who turned a 50-49 halftime edge into a 31-point advantage after the torrid 12-minute span. The only team in the history of the NBA playoffs with more points in one quarter was the Los Angeles Lakers, who scored 51 in the fourth on March 31, 1962, in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Clint Capela added 14 points and 17 rebounds, Eric Gordon finally got going with 18 points off the bench and the Rockets easily recovered from their rough start.
SALT LAKE CITY — Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 113-96 win over the Thunder for a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.
Joe Ingles scored 20 points while Rudy Gobert added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz. Ricky Rubio chipped in 13 points, eight assists and six boards.
Paul George scored 32 points and Russell Westbrook added 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Thunder.