New Post has been published on IN THE ZONE
New Post has been published on http://inthezone-sports.net/?p=4744
Rocket Launch to West Finals
For the first time since 1997, the Western Conference Finals will feature the Houston Rockets in the series after holding off the Clippers, 113-100, to win the West Semifinal series, 4-3.
The Rockets hit 12 three-pointers (Trevor Ariza made six) and led wire-to-wire in becoming the ninth team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a series to win it. Houston led by as many as 20 in the last quarter, but the Clippers were able to get the deficit down to eight with under two minutes to go. MVP runner-up James Harden set the tone early and often for his team with 31 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and Dwight Howard posted 16 points and 15 rebounds. The game’s catalyst was Pablo Prigioni who pestered the Clippers into multiple turnovers in the third quarter when L.A. had cut the deficit down to three points.
As for the Clippers, they still seek the elusive bid in the conference finals which the franchise nor Chris Paul (26 points and 10 assists) has ever ventured to. Their fourth quarter collapse in Game 6 on their home floor and the inability to close out the series seemingly put them behind the eight ball in the decisive Game 7.
The Western Conference Finals pit the second-seeded Rockets vs. the top-seeded Golden State Warriors with Game 1 starting Tuesday night in Oakland. ESPN has exclusive coverage of the series.