Harden keeps Rockets alive in NBA Western Conference semi-finals against Los Angeles Clippers

HOUSTON (AP):

Houston's James Harden shook off illness to record a triple double and lead the Rockets to a 124-103 win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night that kept the series alive and trimmed the deficit to 3-2.

Harden lived up to his superstar billing, as did LeBron James, who led Cleveland to a 106-101 win against Chicago which put the Cavaliers up 3-2 and within one win of advancing in the play-offs.

Harden had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and Dwight Howard added 20 points and 15 rebounds as the Rockets bounced back from two lopsided losses.

"I'm all right," Harden said when asked about his health. "We won, so that's all that matters."

The Rockets had not lost three straight all season and with their season on the line they ended their skid to send it back to Los Angeles for Game Six today.

third-quarter surge

Houston used a 36-point second quarter to take a commanding lead and withstood a third-quarter surge by Los Angeles to lead by 14 entering the fourth. Blake Griffin had 30 points and 16 rebounds and Chris Paul added 22 points and 10 assists for the Clippers.

"They were more focused," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "They played like they were the desperate team and we didn't play very desperate."

Harden's triple-double was Houston's first in the postseason since Steve Francis in 2004 and earned the respect of his teammates.

"This is win or go home and I'm pretty sure he wants this as bad as we all do and he showed that tonight," Howard said.

In Cleveland, James scored 38 points and Kyrie Irving added 25 as the Cavaliers held off Chicago's charge in the fourth quarter.

Showing no ill effects from a sprained left ankle, James added 12 rebounds, six assists and did not have a turnover in 41 minutes to ensure the Cavs will again play at home this season.

"LeBron was just outstanding, every element of the game," Cavs coach David Blatt said. "You can't pick a thing he didn't do at the highest level."

Cleveland can wrap up the best-of-seven series with a win in Game Six today back at United Centre in Chicago, where the teams exchanged buzzer-beating victories last weekend. The drama wasn't quite as high in Game Five, but it was close and it was intense.

Jimmy Butler scored 29 and Mike Dunleavy 19 for Chicago. Derrick Rose scored 16, 12 in the first quarter, but the star guard shot just two of 15 in the final three quarters and aggravated a shoulder "stinger" he sustained in Game One.