Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from Game 5 vs. Jazz

For the second time in the last four seasons, the Houston Rockets are heading to the Western Conference Finals, after pulling out a series-clinching win against the Utah Jazz Tuesday night. Here are the three takeaways from Game 5.

On a night where a spot in the Western Conference Finals was there for the taking, Chris Paul managed to exorcise demons of postseasons past by putting together arguably the greatest outing of his Hall-of-Fame career.

The 33-year-old point guard put up a playoff career-high 41 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds to help the Houston Rockets extinguish the Utah Jazz with a 112-102 win in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

"“He went out there and took over the game,” Rockets guard James Harden told reporters after the game. “He went to go get it. He put us all on his back and said listen: ‘I got us.’ “He had that look in his eyes.”"

Paul, a nine-time All-Star who was traded to Houston from the Los Angeles Clippers this past offseason, put up 20 points alone in the game’s final frame to help the Rockets prevail late. Just minutes after Utah pulled to within one, he knocked down four consecutive jumpers and a heat check 3-pointer, giving Houston a nine-point lead with two minutes left to play in regulation.

P.J. Tucker, who finished in double figures for the second straight game, also contributed to the  Rockets’ cause on offense with a playoff career-high 19 points alongside Harden, who chipped in with 18 points.

Rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell led the way for an injury-ridden Utah squad with 24 points, before exiting the game with a left leg injury suffered midway through the fourth quarter. Alec Burks added 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting in a valiant effort.

Here are the three takeaways from Clutch City’s series-clinching win in Game 5.