Russell Westbrook did everything he possibly could to drag the Thunder to a Game 7 Friday, but lack of production from his teammates, and a late no-call on Jazz center Rudy Gobert sealed a 96-91 victory for Utah and eliminated Oklahoma City Thunder from the playoffs altogether.
Westbrook finished the night with a game-high 46 points on 18-of-43 shooting, but none of the other guards and forwards on the roster made more than three field goals. The 2016-17 NBA MVP simply had no help and Utah was able to hold on for a 4-2 series victory.
It also helped that Gobert was not called for a shooting foul on Paul George who had a chance at a game-tying 3-pointer with less than 15 seconds left. Down just three points at the time, George would have had an opportunity to tie the game at the line had a foul been called. But there was no whistle, the Jazz got the rebound and eventually hit two free throws to ice the game.
In Indiana, the Pacers played like they were angry about Wednesday's result and blew the doors off the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland trailed by 10 at the half, but were outscored by 15 in the third quarter which sealed their fate.
Victor Oladipo had a triple-double with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists while LeBron James was the only Cavs starter in double-figures with 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds. The two teams will face off in the first Game 7 James has ever played in the first round.
"Win or go home. It's just that simple," James told reporters after the game.
In Washington, the Raptors broke the Wizards eight-game home playoff win streak with a 102-92 victory. That locked the series victory 4-2 in favor of Toronto.
Bradley Beal and John Wall combined to score 55 points on 19-of-44 shooting, but the rest of Washington's starting lineup combined to score 17 points in 95 minutes of play.
STUD OF THE NIGHT
Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell scored 38 points on 14-of-26 shooting. He also had four rebounds and two assists.
DUD OF THE NIGHT
Paul George played 45 minutes but scored just five points on 2-of-16 shooting.
HIGHLIGHT
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan hooked up for the alley-oop from long range here in the third quarter.
The two All-Stars combined to score 40 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds.
WHAT'S NEXT
Bucks (3-3) at Celtics (3-3) — The first Game 7 of the playoffs takes place in Boston as the Celtics hope to maintain the theme of the series with the home team holding serve. Every home team has won in the first six games of the series and the Celtics have one of the best home-court advantages in the league. Winner moves on. Loser goes home.
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