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Rockets romp in MVP showdown

 
Russell Westbrook, left, gets another triple double, but James Harden walks off with the win.
Russell Westbrook, left, gets another triple double, but James Harden walks off with the win.
Published March 27, 2017

HOUSTON — James Harden was the Rockets' fourth-leading scorer Sunday.

However, it was clear to everyone that he was the key to his team's victory.

Lou Williams scored 31 off the bench, Harden finished with 22 points and 12 assists and the Rockets never trailed while cruising to a 137-125 victory over the Thunder.

"He could've easily gotten 40 points, and he could've just kept on going," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "But he knew these guys were going and threw the ball their way. He just plays the game the way it should be played."

Russell Westbrook had 39 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds for his second straight triple double and 36th this season, but Harden led the Rockets to a 25-point bulge through three quarters in a matchup between top MVP candidates.

"The hit a lot of shots, man," Westbrook said. "They got hot and especially with a team like that, they get hot and it can be trouble."

Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon added 24 points each for the Rockets, whose lead was trimmed to eight on Westbrook's 3 with about 90 seconds left. The Rockets scored four quick points after that to secure the victory.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Isaiah Thomas scored 20 of his 30 in the second half, and the host Celtics beat the Heat 112-108 for their fourth straight victory. The win moved Boston within percentage points of Cleveland for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, while Miami's lead fell to a half-game ahead of the Bulls for the final playoff spot in the East. … Willie Cauley-Stein made a follow shot with two seconds left and the visiting Kings rallied from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Clippers 98-97. … Nikola Mirotic tied a season high with 28 points, Jimmy Butler had a career-high 14 assists and the visiting Bulls pulled away in the second half for a 109-94 victory over the Bucks. … Brook Lopez scored 23 and the visiting Nets beat Atlanta 107-92, handing the Hawks their seventh straight loss and their fifth in a row without injured All-Star forward Paul Millsap. … Kemba Walker had 31 points and nine assists and the host Hornets handed the Suns their eighth straight loss, 120-106. … Myles Turner had 17 points and 16 rebounds and the host Pacers beat the 76ers 107-94.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: The Pistons recalled forward Henry Ellenson from the team's Grand Rapids affiliate in the D-League.