HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- James Harden wasn't the only Rockets star to come up with a huge defensive play at the end of Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Trailing by two points, Oklahoma City had 1.1 seconds to save its season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander inbounded the ball from the sideline. They appeared to want Steven Adams screening for Danilo Gallinari (guarded by Harden) at the free throw line.
But Harden slipped past Adams, and Westbrook left the inbounder to monitor action from the developing play. Westbrook flashed toward Gallinari to take away one inbound pass, then helped P.J. Tucker blow up Gilgeous-Alexander's pass to Gallinari to seal the win.
After the game, Westbrook was asked by SportsRadio 610's Adam Spolane about that final play and whether he knew what to expect, having played for Thunder head coach Billy Donovan.
"I kind of know a little bit. I know a little bit," Westbrook said with a smile. "And I just wanted to mix it up because I knew they were out of timeouts and I knew where the ball was going."
On the Thunder's previous possession, Harden closed out on Luguentz Dort, who scored 30 points Wednesday night. Harden blocked the shot and managed to avoid Dort's attempt to deflect the ball off his body.
Both plays were critical for the Rockets' best two players, who struggled shooting in recent games.
Harden was 4-for-15 from the field and 1-for-9 from long distance for just 17 points in Game 7. In his postgame interview with ESPN, Harden said "offensively, I felt like s---." Westbrook scored 20 points on 20 shots.
"I've been locked in, obviously, just all year long, trying to be better on that side of the ball," Harden said. "Tonight, it was a huge emphasis on it. Came up with a big block to win the game. Just trying to be engaged in this as much as possible. Offensively, had a rough shooting night. I turned the ball over a little too much, but trying to find ways to impact the game."
The Rockets advance to the Western Conference Semifinals to face the top-seed Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
This will be the first time the Rockets face James in a playoff series.
Houston is tied with the Boston Celtics for the top defensive rating among playoff teams. The Lakers are ranked fourth in defensive rating.
Game 1 is scheduled for Friday on ESPN at 8 p.m.
