NBA Playoffs: Jazz eliminate Westbrook´s Thunder, LeBron and Cavs forced to game seven
Russell Westbrook tried everything he could to drag the Thunder to a deciding game seven, but lack of production from his team-mates, and a late no-call on Jazz center Rudy Gobert sealed a 96-91 victory for Utah and eliminated Oklahoma City from the NBA playoffs.
Reigning MVP Westbrook finished the night with a game-high 46 points on 18-of-43 shooting, but none of the other guards and forwards on the roster made more than three field goals on Friday.
Westbrook simply had no help and the Jazz were able to hold on for a 4-2 victory in their Western Conference first-round matchup, with the Houston Rockets next up.
It also helped that Gobert was not called for a shooting foul on Paul George who had a chance at a game-tying three-pointer with less than 15 seconds remaining.
Down just three points at the time, George would have had an opportunity to tie the game at the line had a foul been called. But there was no whistle, the Jazz collected the rebound and eventually hit two free throws via Donovan Mitchell to ice the game.
“I’m so proud of you.”
Donovan Mitchell’s mother approves of his series-clinching performance. #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/nV25XS1Cue
— NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2018
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were routed 121-87 by the Indiana Pacers in game six earlier on Friday.
Cleveland trailed by 10 at half-time, but were outscored by 15 in the third quarter which sealed their fate in Indiana.
Victor Oladipo had a triple-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, while James was the only Cavs starter in double-figures with 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
The two teams will face off in the first game-seven fixture James has ever played in the first round.
“Win or go home. It’s just that simple,” James told reporters after the game.
The Toronto Raptors broke the Washington Wizards eight-game home playoff win streak with a 102-92 victory to advance to the next round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Bradley Beal and John Wall combined to score 55 points on 19-of-44 shooting, but the rest of Washington’s starting line-up combined to score 17 points in 95 minutes of play.
SIMMONS, ARE YOU WATCHING?
Jazz rookie Mitchell – a contender with Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons for the Rookie of the Year award – scored 38 points on 14-of-26 shooting. He also had four rebounds and two assists.
GEORGE FAILS TO SUPPORT WESTBROOK
Paul George played 45 minutes but scored just five points on two-of-16 shooting.
LOWRY AND DEROZAN WITH THE COMBO!
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan hooked up for the alley-oop from long range here in the third quarter. The two All-Stars combined to score 40 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Kyle Lowry goes up top to DeRozan on the oop!#WeTheNorth 67 | #DCFamily 69 with 3:15 left in Q3.
: ESPNews / @NBATV pic.twitter.com/qFF1QcFkN7
— NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2018
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Indiana Pacers 121-87 Cleveland Cavaliers
Utah Jazz 96-91 Oklahoma City Thunder
Toronto Raptors 102-92 Washington Wizards
BUCKS (3-3) AT CELTICS (3-3)
The first game seven of the playoffs takes place in Boston as the Celtics hope to maintain the theme of the series with the home team holding serve against the Milwaukee Bucks. Every home team have won in the first six games of the series and the Celtics have one of the best home-court advantages in the league. Winner moves on. Loser goes home.
