NBA: Rockets beat Clippers, advance to west finals
Houston Rockets close out the series with a Game 7 win against LA Clippers and advance to western conference finals for first time since 1997.
ANKARA
The Houston Rockets have defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 113-100 late Sunday in Game 7 to advance to the National Basketball Association (NBA) western conference finals for the first time since 1997.
The Rockets overcame a three-game-to-one deficit to claim victory in the best-of seven series.
Three-point-shooting proved to be a critical factor in the game as the Rockets made 12 in 30 attempts, while the Clippers only shot 7 for 28.
Forward Trevor Ariza hit 6 threes for the Rockets, including a dagger to put the Rockets up by 11 with 55 seconds to go.
Houston's shooting guard James Harden scored 31 points, Trevor Ariza added 22 and center Dwight Howard chipped in with 16 points and 17 rebounds.
Point guard Chris Paul's 26 points and 10 assists failed to ignite the Clippers, who were never able to lead in the match.
Clippers' power forward Blake Griffin added 27 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 6 assists in the losing effort.
It is the ninth time in NBA history that a team overcomes a 3-1 deficit to win a playoff series.
The Rockets will play against the Golden State Warriors in the western conference finals. In the east, the Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Atlanta Hawks.
The full schedule of the Conference Finals is listed below:
Eastern Conference Finals
Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Game 1: Wednesday May 20, Cleveland at Atlanta, 8:30 p.m. eastern time (Thursday, 0030 GMT)
Game 2: Friday May 22, Cleveland at Atlanta, 8:30 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday May 24, Atlanta at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday May 26, Atlanta at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Thursday May 28, Cleveland at Atlanta, 8:30 p.m.
Game 6*: Saturday May 30, Atlanta at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m.
Game 7*: Monday June 1, Cleveland at Atlanta, 8:30 p.m.
* If neccesary
Western Conference Finals
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
Game 1: Tuesday May 19, Houston at Golden State, 9 p.m. eastern time (Wednesday, 0100 GMT)
Game 2: Thursday May 21, Houston at Golden State, 9 p.m. eastern time
Game 3: Saturday May 23, Golden State at Houston, 9 p.m. eastern time
Game 4: Monday May 25, Golden State at Houston, 9 p.m. eastern time
Game 5*: Wednesday May 27, Houston at Golden State 9 p.m. eastern time
Game 6*: Friday May 29, Golden State at Houston, 9 p.m. eastern time
Game 7*: Sunday May 31 Houston at Golden State, 9 p.m. eastern time
* If neccesary
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