German_Force » THE SUPERSTARS

James Harden proved once again that Utah’s vaunted defense was no match for him.

Harden scored 41 points and the Houston Rockets raced out to a huge lead and sailed to a 110-96 win over the Jazz in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday.

Houston was up by 25 at halftime behind 34 points combined from Harden and Chris Paul. The Jazz Zack Martin Jersey , who didn’t wrap up their first-round series with Oklahoma City until late Friday night, looked sluggish and struggled to keep pace with the top-seeded Rockets, who hadn’t played since eliminating Minnesota on Wednesday.

The Jazz tied for second in the NBA in the regular season by allowing just 99.8 points, but failed to stop Harden in any of their meetings. Harden, who also had seven assists and eight rebounds, picked up where he left off in the regular season against the Jazz when he averaged 34.3 points, led by a 56-point performance in a 137-110 win in November.

”Their defense is really good – their defense is super,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said. ”But James is James.”

Utah coach Quin Snyder seemed at a loss as to how to limit the MVP front-runner, who had the sixth 40-point playoff game of his career.

”He’s a special player,” he said. ”It’s hard to give credit to all the things that he does. He just impacts the game in so many mays. You have to try to make it harder for him.”

It was Houston’s fourth straight win by 10 or more points this postseason Johnthan Banks Jersey , and the Rockets have won their five games against the Jazz by an average of 16.8 points.

”We’re different,” Harden said. ”We’ve seen so many different defenses throughout this year that have prepared us for this moment.”

The Jazz got 21 points each from rookie Donovan Mitchell and Jae Crowder while playing without starting point guard Ricky Rubio, who sat with a strained left hamstring. It was a significant blow after he averaged 14 points, 7.3 rebounds and seven assists in the first round.

The Jazz refused to blame their tough game on the fact that they didn’t have much of a break between the first and second round.

”It’s a quick turnaround obviously and there’s some fatigue,” Mitchell said. ”But that wasn’t the reason for the performance.”

The Rockets had 10 3-pointers by halftime, led by three apiece from Harden and P.J. Tucker. They finished with 17, including seven from Harden, which tied his career-high for a playoff game.

The Rockets were up by 18 entering the fourth after Paul hit a 3-pointer at the end of the third. Utah scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter to get within 86-75, but Harden made three free throws over the next minute to end the run.

Rudy Gobert, who had 11 points and nine rebounds Ricky Wagner Jersey , had a dunk after that, but a 3-pointer by Harden extended Houston’s lead to 92-77 with about 8 1/2 minutes left.

Mitchell was shaken up when Eric Gordon stepped on his ankle as he drove to the basket with about 5 1/2 minutes remaining. He stayed on the court for a second holding his ankle before hopping up and walking gingerly to the bench. But remained on the bench for just a few seconds before returning and said after the game that he was OK.

Both the Rockets and the fifth-seeded Jazz are in the semifinals for the second straight year. The Rockets, who beat the Timberwolves in five games to advance, lost to the Spurs last season, and Utah was eliminated by Golden State.

TIP-INS

Jazz: Royce O’Neale started in place of Rubio and finished with four points and four assists. … The Jazz haven’t said how long Rubio will be out, but multiple reports have indicated that it could be as many as 10 days. … Joe Ingles had 15 points.

Rockets: Luc Mbah a Moute had three points and three rebounds in his first postseason action this season. He had been out since dislocating his right shoulder on April 10. … Clint Capela had 16 points and 12 rebounds for his third straight double-double. … Paul finished with 17 points, four steals and six assists.

HE SAID IT

Paul on his relationship with Mitchell and any advice he’s given him since the start of the postseason: ”He’s playing great on his own. So I ain’t got nothing for him.”

UP NEXT

The Rockets host Game 2 on Wednesday night before the series shifts to Utah for two games.

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The New York Giants added a major pass rusher on the opening day of training camp, signing veteran linebacker Connor Barwin.

The Giants announced the move Wednesday as veterans reported to training camp at the team's headquarters adjacent to MetLife Stadium.

While terms were not disclosed, the deal was believed to be worth $5 million over two years.

Barwin has played in 127 regular-season games with 109 starts for Houston, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Rams. The 2014 Pro Bowler has also started six playoff games.

His career totals include 449 tackles Blake Bortles Jersey , 55 1/2 sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 42 passes defensed, and one interception. His career sacks total is the highest among current Giants, surpassing Olivier Vernon's 44. Barwin had five sacks in 14 games last season.

Barwin is the second linebacker to join the Giants after playing last season for the Rams; inside backer Alec Ogletree was acquired in a trade on March 14.

To create room on the roster, the Giants waived tight end Kyle Carter.

"Connor and I were together in Philadelphia," said coach Pat Shurmur, who has taken over a team that won three games last season. "Veteran player, edge player John Sullivan Jersey , so he could play the outside linebacker position, he could be involved in the pass rush when we get to our four-man rush. Very veteran guy and I think if you don't know him, you'll quickly get to see that he's a true pro and we were fortunate he was available."

The Giants also signed defensive tackle Izaah Lunsford, who spent last season on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad, and waived punter Taylor Symmank.

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