Brooks admits that OKC need to find a way to slow Rockets down.
Despite history being against them, the Houston Rockets cut their deficit to just one game in their NBA Playoffs series with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.
The Rockets travelled to the Chesapeake Energy Arena knowing that they had to win to avoid elimination, and did just that with their 107-100 victory as they now trail their rivals 3-2 in the opening round series ahead of Game 6 back on home court.
Former Thunder sixth man James Harden finished 7-for-9 beyond the arc as he posted up 31 points and eight rebounds, while all five Rockets starters got into double scoring figures.
Omer Asik had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Francisco Garcia added 18 points while Patrick Beverley, who received a hostile reception from the home crowd, scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
In the absence of Russell Westbrook, the Thunder’s problems are surprisingly more defense related as they gave up a 37-point third quarter for the second game in a row, something that coach Scott Brooks was not pleased about.
Kevin Durant went for 36 points and was well supported by Reggie Jackson, but Brooks is keen to find a solution to slowing the Rockets down, particularly in transition and from the three point line where he felt they had too many uncontested shots.
The momentum is undoubtedly with the Rockets as they head home for Game 6 looking to tie the series. However, the requirements are clear for the Thunder and it is down to them to execute well in order to secure progression to the second round on Friday night.
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