Tuesday night's NBA playoffs schedule featured just the Western Conference semifinals series between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. With the series knotted up at 2-2, one team would go on to take the lead again. With the game in San Antonio, the Spurs were able to grab a hard-fought victory in an extra session to take this one 110-107. A big defensive play late from one of San Antonio's veterans helped seal the deal too. Here's a look at how the Spurs got this win to go up 3-2 in their best-of-seven NBA playoff series.
How the Spurs won
Tonight's game was closely contested from start to finish. San Antonio led by just three after the first quarter, but Houston took a 60-58 lead at the half. The Spurs managed to pull back ahead by a point at the end of the third quarter, and then the teams were deadlocked to finish the fourth. That brought on an extra session.
The Rockets held a slim lead, but with just under a minute to go, Danny Green played the role of hero. Green nailed a big three-point shot to put his team up 106-104. Ryan Anderson went down the court and matched that shot, but with 30 seconds to go, it was Green again, hitting a two-footer to put his team back ahead. He also got the "and one" On the play to extend the lead.
Green would end up hitting another free throw, and the lead was three for the Spurs.
Towards the close of the game, Houston's James Harden managed to elude Manu Ginobili for an open three, or so he though. As Harden pulled up for the downtown attempt, Ginobili was able to get the block from behind, sealing San Antonio's victory as time expired right after.
For tonight's game, Green was the hero late, but regarding top performances, it was Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Patty Mills. Leonard had 22 points and 15 boards while Aldridge had 18 points and 14 boards. Patty Mills came up with 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting which included 5-for-12 three-point shooting. Green finished with 16 which included four three-point shots and several clutch shots late.
On the losing side of things, it was Harden with a triple-double. He had 33 points on an 11-for-24 shooting night to go with ten assists and ten rebounds. Clint Cappella had eight points and 11 rebounds, while Patrick Beverly finished with 20 points. Ryan Anderson came off the bench to add 19 points in 36 minutes of action.
When do they play again?
Next up, the Houston Rockets will host the San Antonio Spurs for Game 6 of their playoff series. That matchup is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 11th. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time from Houston's Toyota Center. ESPN will provide the live telecast.
A win by the Spurs will advance them to the Western Conference Finals to take on their rivals, the Golden State Warriors. However, a win by Houston will force a Game 7. If the deciding game is necessary, it's slated for Sunday with ABC providing television coverage.