Rockets lose to Spurs 103-92 in Game 3

Posted: May 5, 2017 -- 11:59 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The San Antonio Spurs controlled the tempo and the Houston Rockets missed lots of field goals; and, as a result, the Spurs defeated the Rockets 103-92 in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinals series to give the Spurs a 2-1 lead in the series.

James Harden scored a game-high 43 points; however, San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard (26) and LaMarcus Aldridge (26) combined for 52 points.

The Spurs' bench also outscored the Rockets' bench 26-10: Patty Mills scored 15 points for the Spurs while Nene (0 for 5 field goals and 1 point); Eric Gordon (3 for 10 field goals for 9 points); and Lou Williams (0 for 4 field goals) combined to make only 3 of 19 field goal attempts.

"Offense. We just let ourselves down," Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni said after the game. "We just couldn't get it going; and, we couldn't -- guys couldn't get open; and, if they were (open), they wouldn't make them (shots).

"We can't shoot 35 percent."

Neither team produced a masterpiece on offense in the first half: the Spurs "heated up" to make 20 field goals (out of 50 attempts) for 40 percent field goal percentage while the Rockets shot an ice cold 29.5 % (13 out of 44) from the floor.

The Rockets trailed the Spurs 43-39 at halftime.

The Spurs increased the lead to 10 points (55-45) with 7:48 remaining in the third quarter; but, James Harden scored 10 points during a 10-1 Rockets' run to pull the Rockets within one point (56-55) with 5:15 on the game clock.

But, the Spurs responded with a 12-2 run to lead 68-57; then, Patrick Beverley (5) and Eric Gordon (4) combined for 9 points to pull the Rockets within three points (69-66) with 5 seconds left in the third quarter.

However, Spurs swingman Jonathon Simmons swished a 27-foot, three-point shot to beat the buzzer which gave the Spurs a 72-66 lead after three quarters.

The Rockets did not get closer than 4 points in the fourth quarter.

Harden scored 16 of the Rockets' 26 points in the fourth quarter while the Spurs countered with 31 points including two key three-point shots from Danny Green and timely points from Aldridge.

"We just got to play better," Harden said after the game. "I think we played hard tonight. Offensively, we just got to get guys involved. Guys just got to have confidence and knock down these shots and be aggressive."

Harden finished the game with 5 assists.

Trevor Ariza scored 17 points and made 5 of 12 three-point attempts.

As a team, the Rockets shot 12 for 39 from three point range.

"They (Spurs) did a good job staying home on hour shooters and forcing me to finish and make plays," said Harden.

Clint Capela had an excellent game with 12 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots.

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