NBA playoffs wrap: Rockets, Warriors advance to Western Conference finals

The two best teams in the Western Conference throughout the 2017-18 season will square off for the chance to play in the NBA Finals.

Kevin Durant knocked down 9 of 13 shots after starting 1 for 5 from the field en route to 24 points.

The two best teams in the Western Conference throughout the 2017-18 season will square off for the chance to play in the NBA Finals after winning their respective playoff series Tuesday night. 

Chris Paul will play in his first conference finals game after leading the No. 1 seed Rockets to a 112-102 Game 5 win over the Jazz. With James Harden under the weather, Paul stepped up with 41 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. 

Donovan Mitchell exploded for 22 points in the third quarter, outscoring Houston by himself. The final playoff game of his stellar rookie season came to a premature end as he exited in the fourth quarter after a left knee collision with Harden. Mitchell finished with 24 points and nine assists. 

Golden State's "Big Four" propelled the second-seeded Warriors to their fourth straight Western Conference finals by beating the Pelicans in Game 5, 113-104. 

Klay Thompson scored 14 of his 23 points in the first quarter as Golden State raced out to a six point lead. Kevin Durant knocked down 9 of 13 shots after starting 1 for 5 from the field en route to 24 points. Stephen Curry added 28 points while Draymond Green had a near triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. 

Anthony Davis scored 34 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for the Pelicans but 14 turnovers and a 19-point third quarter derailed New Orleans' late comeback. 

Despite having the best record in the NBA this season and winning the head-to-head regular-season series against the Warriors, the Rockets are underdogs to advance to the NBA Finals.

STUD OF THE NIGHT

Paul is the first player to have 40 points, 10 assists, and zero turnovers in a playoff game since turnovers became an official stat in 1977-78. He scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, a career-high for most points in a quarter (regular season and playoffs). 

DUDS OF THE NIGHT

Jazz forward Jae Crowder was just 2 of 11 from the floor with six points and three turnovers in Utah’s loss. Teammate Raul Neto was even worse, failing to knock down a shot and registering a minus-16 in 17 minutes off the bench.