HOUSTON (AP) - James Harden had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, Dwight Howard added 20 points and 15 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets bounced back from two lopsided losses to avoid elimination with a 124-103 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Rockets hadn't lost three straight all season, and with their season on the line they ended their skid to send it back to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Thursday night.
Houston used a 36-point second quarter to take a commanding lead and withstood a third-quarter surge by Los Angeles to lead by 14 entering the fourth.
Blake Griffin had 30 points and 16 rebounds, and Chris Paul added 22 points and 10 assists for the Clippers.