Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs wasn't much of a contest. The Rockets took a 10-point lead before the halfway point of the first quarter and built it into a 30-point halftime advantage. Behind the most made 3-pointers in NBA Playoff history, the Rockets cruised to a 126-99 win.
The most interesting part of the night might have been a scuffle at the end of the third that resulted in Nene getting ejected.
Little scuffle at the end of the 3rd, as Nene, Dewayne Dedmon & James Harden get into it. Nene ejected, with Dedmon & Harden getting techs pic.twitter.com/OudsOfz9P8
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 2, 2017
The Rockets were on fire from 3-point range, hitting 12 of 27 3-pointers in the first half and finishing with 22 of 50. All but two players of the Rockets main eight-man rotation reached double figures. Three reached 20 before the Rockets took their foot off the gas early.
James Harden had 20 points and 14 assists in just 31 minutes of action. Trevor Ariza was on fire, with 23 points, while Clint Capela had 20 point and 13 rebounds. Ryan Anderson chipped in 14 points. Harden's passing on point all night.
James Harden (@JHarden13) with the filthy between-the-legs dime to Clint Capela (@CapelaClint)! #Rockets pic.twitter.com/hDiVjEsAbs
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 2, 2017
Kawhi Leonard was really the only Spurs starter to show up. He had 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Tony Parker also reached double figures with 11 points, but was just 3 of 9 from the field.
Lamarcus Aldridge was brutal, on both ends of the court. He had just four points and six rebounds on 2 of 7 shooting. He was a -36 in plus/minus.
Game 2 is Wednesday in San Antonio. Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET.
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