Westbrook costs Rockets as OKC Thunder extend series to 7th game

The OKC Thunder outlast the Houston Rockets in a slugfest to extend their season and force a Game 7.  Player grades complete the story.

Wow! That’s all one can say after a game like that. The OKC Thunder and Houston Rockets gave basketball fans a vintage playoff performance that was dripping with intensity.

Much unlike Game 5, this game was close the whole night. Each team traded punch after punch, but it was the OKC Thunder who were left standing as the dust settled on Game 6.

The first quarter was a good indicator of how the game would go. The slow, methodical offense for the Thunder and the usual shot-making from the Rockets. We have seen this all series now, but it was a relief to OKC fans that they only trailed by two points going into the second quarter after the last game’s debacle.

Not much changed as the game played into the second frame. Dennis Schroder came in and gave the Thunder offense his usual boost, but it was the Rockets who still maintained a three-point lead going into the halftime break.

The second half was much akin to a heavyweight title bout. These teams traded runs throughout the second half, with great plays being made by James Harden and Danillo Gallinari. It all came down to the final quarter, as it has all season for this OKC Thunder team.

And much like he has all season, Chris Paul wouldn’t let his team go away. The leader of this OKC team scored 15 (!) points in the 4th quarter to drag this team across the finish line and force a Game 7. However, I want to give a special shout out to Thunder icon Russell Westbrook, as his late turnovers and missed shots gave his former team the opportunity to stay in this series.

All jokes aside, we all know Russ. He is pissed and will come out with a vengeance in Game 7 along with Harden. That will be a lot for the OKC Thunder to overcome. But with the way they’ve played all year, it wouldn’t surprise me if they shock the world one more time.

With that let’s dive into the grades.