Jazz 91 - 117 Rockets
Final
  for this game

Rockets crush Jazz, clinch Southwest Division title

Apr 16, 2015 - 5:58 AM

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Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - James Harden had a triple-double by the end of the third quarter and the Houston Rockets cruised past the Utah Jazz 117-91 on Wednesday.

The victory, coupled with San Antonio's loss to New Orleans, gave Houston (56-26) the Southwest Division title and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

The Rockets, who will face the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, clinched their first division title since 1993-94.

"They are a really good team," Harden said of the Mavs. "They are a high- powered offense. It's going to be a series of who can make stops."

Harden finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season.

Terrence Jones scored 15 points and Dwight Howard added 14 with eight rebounds for the Rockets, who will play Dallas in the opening round of the playoffs.

Bryce Cotton had 14 points and Chris Johnson scored 13 for Utah (38-44).

"We were a little bit undermanned, and they are an awfully good team," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said of the Rockets.

The Rockets held the Jazz to 28.3 percent shooting in the first half, and Harden nailed a step-back 3-pointer ahead of the buzzer for a 65-35 lead at the break.

A layup by Corey Brewer put Houston up by a game-high 39 points late in the third quarter.

Game Notes

Harden became the first Houston player with four triple-doubles in a season since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1989-90 ...The Rockets shot 53.9 percent and made 12- of-28 3-pointers.






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