NBA playoffs: Russell Westbrook gets heated, Thunder get eliminated
The Thunder are going fishing, but it wasn't without a fight. Russell Westbrook had 47 points ... on 34 shots in the elimination game. Rockets guard Patrick Beverley had some words for the Thunder superstar, who may or may not have been listening.
A hard foul led to this heated, incredible exchange.
A foul was called on Westbrook, perhaps thanks to a conversation from Rockets owner Les Alexander to an official during the game.
The NBA is investigating. You know who doesn't miss these situations? David Stern.
Ultimately the Rockets outclassed the Thunder, advancing 4-1. Westbrook was a rock, as the eye-popping plus-minus numbers reveal, but in the end, it's the Rockets who await the San Antonio-Memphis winner.
Elsewhere around the playoffs:
Spurs 116, Grizzlies 103
Speaking of San Antonio, the Spurs rained down three-pointers on the Grizzlies — paced by 28 points from Kawhi Leonard and 20 from Patty Mills — and they'll have a chance to close out Grit-and-Grind come Thursday's Game 6.
Manu Ginobili didn't have the best stat line (10 points, three assists and three steals in 18 minutes), but it was his effort that propelled the Spurs. In what could be his last NBA season, Ginobili "threw his body to the court and drove to the basket with the fearlessness he showed as a rookie," according to the AP.
"You know that he's got a huge heart, and he has a huge effect on our team when he's healthy," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "And having a good night, starting out the way he did, was really a big boost."
Memphis coach David Fizdale had a different way to put it.
Jazz 96, Clippers 92
Gordon Hayward was healthy — and it showed. The Jazz star tallied 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists as Utah took a 3-2 series lead over the Clippers.
The Clippers were without Blake Griffin, who will miss the rest of the playoffs with a toe injury, and Chris Paul did his best to get L.A. in a position to win. But when they didn't, Paul wasn't thrilled with this question in the postgame press conference:
The Jazz's Joe Johnson hit several more clutch shots in the fourth quarter, including this one with under 30 seconds left. The reaction from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer says it all:
Rajon Rondo out for Game 5
Word out of Boston was that Rondo (broken right thumb) considered giving Game 5 a go, but he told reporters at shootaround Wednesday morning that he won't be able to play. His status for Game 6 is still up in the air. Not good news for the Bulls, who lost Games 3 and 4 with their starting point guard sidelined.
Don't worry, the NBA action picks back up Wednesday night. Here's what's on tap:
- Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards - 6 p.m. ET, TNT (Series tied 2-2)
- Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics - 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT (Series tied 2-2)
GALLERY: Best photos from the first round
