Houston defeated Oklahoma City 113-109 Sunday, taking a 3-1 series lead in a battle between MVP frontrunners James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Based on the last 30 seconds, it was a game that nobody deserved to win.
• Houston, which had possession of the ball and a five-point lead with less than 30 seconds left, inexplicably turned the ball over on a drive and bad pass by Harden. Then the Rockets committed a quick foul.
• Oklahoma City took advantage, making the first free throw, missing the second intentionally, getting the rebound and then a deep three by Westbrook to pull within one. But then … the Thunder didn't foul quickly enough, and when it finally did it was a soft one that led to a crushing three-point play.
• After the Thunder got within two, Houston tried again to hand over the game by almost throwing the ball away on an inbound pass. The Rockets escaped.
Read Michael Rand's blog at startribune.com/randball. mrand@startribune.com
