The best clutch scorer in the league this season came through once again.
Chris Paul, who had eight points in the final 3:35 of the game, got fouled when driving to the lane with 12.4 seconds to go and hit both free throws to put Oklahoma City ahead of the Houston Rockets by two and help them win 104-100.
With that, the Thunder won Game 6 and forced a Game 7 in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Prior to the free throws, Paul hit two 3-pointers late to tie the game at 98.
He finished with a team-high 28 points on 10-for-20 shooting with three 3s.
A couple of 3's and a couple of steals by @CP3 to close out the 4th quarter and this game six. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/NyhLyRYJn4
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) September 1, 2020
Dennis Schroder drove and made a layup to tie the game at 100.
Dennis! pic.twitter.com/Zop51JsAt7
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) September 1, 2020
After that, Paul made the free throws. Oklahoma City then forced a Russell Westbrook pass to go errant, Westbrook’s second turnover in the final minute and a half.
Danilo Gallinari iced the game by making a pair of free throws with four seconds to go. After he was practically invisible in Game 5, he finished with 26 points and was a key factor for Oklahoma City.
Gallinari had 11 points in the first half, 12 points in the third quarter and then the two points in the fourth to close the game out.
The Thunder outplayed the Rockets and James Harden, who finished with 32 points.
With another close win, Oklahoma City eked out a Game 7.
