NBA roundup: Rockets edge Curry-less Warriors

[April 22, 2016]  The Sports Xchange
 
 HOUSTON -- James Harden nailed a turnaround jumper in the lane with 2.7 seconds left, and the Houston Rockets held on for a 97-76 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night in Game 3 of a Western Conference first-round playoff series at Toyota Center.

The defending champion Warriors, again playing without star guard Stephen Curry, who has an injured right ankle, still lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 set for Sunday at Toyota Center.

The Rockets blew a 17-point lead and trailed with 10.6 seconds left when Trevor Ariza threw away an inbounds pass that facilitated a fastbreak layup by Warriors reserve guard Ian Clark.

Harden followed with a quick dribble, penetrated the lane and spun free before nailing the short jumper. Warriors forward Draymond Green dribbled the ensuing inbounds pass off his foot and out of bounds for a turnover with one second left.

Harden finished with 35 points, eight rebounds and nine assists to pace five Rockets in double figures. Reserve forward Marreese Speights paced the Warriors, who played a second consecutive game without Curry, with 22 points.

Thunder 131, Mavericks 102

DALLAS -- Kevin Durant scored a game-high 34 points, Russell Westbrook added 26 and Oklahoma City rolled to a victory over Dallas in Game 3 of a Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series

With the victory, the Thunder grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday in Dallas.

Wesley Matthews led the Mavericks with 22 points, Raymond Felton had 18 and Dirk Nowitzki finished with 16.

Raptors 101, Pacers 85

INDIANAPOLIS -- Toronto got 21 points and eight assists from Kyle Lowry and 21 points from DeMar DeRozan in a dominating Game 3 victory over Indiana.

The Raptors lead the series 2-1 and regained home-court advantage after losing Game 1 in Toronto.

DeMarre Carroll scored 17 points for Toronto, which took a 10-9 lead and never trailed again. Game 4 is set for Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Paul George led Indiana with 25 points, Myles Turner scored 17, and George Hill added 13.

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