Harden scores 41 in Rockets Game 1 win over Utah

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- James Harden scored 41 points Sunday afternoon to lead the Rockets to a 110-96 win over the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Its the sixth time Harden has scored 40 or more points in the playoffs and the second time this postseason. Harden made a career-high tying 7 three-point shots in the game.

Utah Head Coach Quin Snyder described Harden as "a special player." Snyder continued, "It's hard to give credit to all the things he does.

"A good player can see their man, the help. A better player can see the three; but, he sees everything and that's what makes him so unique because he has the ability to complete all those."

Utah played less than 48 hours ago; and, the Rockets took advantage of Utah's quick turnaround and jumped on the Jazz in the first half.

Harden (12 points) and Chris Paul (9 points) combined for 21 points in the first quarter to equal Utah's 21 points. The Rockets led the Jazz 34-21 after the first quarter.

Houston shot 59.1% (13 for 22) in the first quarter while the Jazz shot 38.1% (8 for 21).

The Rockets outscored the Jazz 30 to 18 in the second quarter. Houston made 5 of 9 three-point shots. Utah made 1 of 6 from behind the arc.

The Rockets finished the second quarter with an 11-2 run to lead 64-39 at halftime.

Harden scored 20 points in the first half. Chris Paul scored 14.

"James and Chris were both on fire; P.J. didn't miss anything," said Rockets Head Coach Mike D'Antoni after the game about the hot start. "We have to know Wednesday is pivotal; and, we have to come out with the same type of intensity and keep it there for 48 (minutes)."

Houston led 70-44 with 9:55 remaining in the third quarter; then, Utah rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell 8 points during a 12-3 Utah run to cut the Rockets' lead to 17 (73-56) with 5:45 remaining in the third.

Harden knocked down a fadeaway jumper and a three-point step back shot during a 7-0 run to boost the lead to 24.

Utah finished the quarter with a 12-6 spurt. The Rockets led by 18 (86-68) after three quarters.

Houston shot 34.8% (8 for 23) in the third period. Utah shot 60.0% (12 for 20) in the third.

With Harden on the bench to start the fourth quarter, Utah went on a 7-0 run to get within 11.

Harden checked into the game and scored the Rockets' next 8 points. Next, Harden assisted on an alley-oop to Clint Capela for a 96-79 lead.

Utah didn't get closer than 13 points in the final five minutes.

D'Antoni was not thrilled with the Rockets' second-half performance.

"Halftime happened and we didn't have a lot of the juice we should have had. We were ready to roll from the get go. So much emotion and you get in the game and we're up 27 or 24 and you kind of let down and it's hard to get it back. Give them credit. They kept fighting.

"We did what we were supposed to do. Obviously, we're happy; but, we can do better."

Houston hit 17 three-pointers out of 32 attempts. Houston has hit 15 or more three-point shots in each of the past five games -- the longest streak in NBA playoff history.

Houston also had 10 steals in the game. During the regular season, the Rockets were 28-4 when having 10 or more steals.

Clint Capela recorded his third straight double-double (16 points and 12 boards). Capela had 42 double-doubles in 74 games during the regular season. Capela is averaging 15.8 points per game and 13.8 rebounds per game overall this postseason. Dating back to the regular season, Houston is 28-2 when he scores 15 or more points.

P.J. Tucker scored a playoff career-high tying 15 points on 6 of 8 field goal shooting (3 for 5 from three). Including the regular season, the Rockets are 32-2 when Tucker made 2 or more three-point field goals in a game and 16-2 when he scores in double digits.

Game 2 is Wednesday, May 2, at 7 p.m. Central Time.

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