Warriors blow out Rockets, 114-81, to advance to second round of NBA playoffs

Klay Thompson made seven three-point shots and scored 27 points and the Golden State Warriors rolled into the second round of the playoffs without injured superstar Stephen Curry, thoroughly embarrassing the Houston Rockets, 114-81, on Wednesday night in Game 5 in Oakland.

Draymond Green added 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Warriors, who will face the winner of the Clippers-Portland Trail Blazers series.

Thompson became the first player in NBA history to make at least seven threes in consecutive playoff games, while Shaun Livingston scored 16 points for his third double-digit performance in three games while starting in Curry’s place this series.

Curry, in a brown sport coat on the bench while nursing his sprained right knee, emphatically bobbed his head, clapped and bowed to Thompson during starter introductions. He even worked the officials during a timeout, and gestured with hand signals to celebrate big plays.

James Harden scored 25 of Houston’s 37 first-half points on the way to 35 points, but the Rockets had no chance with a one-man show against the deep defending champions.

Charlotte 90, at Miami 88: Courtney Lee made a three-point shot with 25.2 seconds remaining to put the Hornets ahead to stay and they held on to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference series. Charlotte has won three straight games and can wrap up the series on Friday with a win at home.

Miami thought Dwyane Wade was fouled with 2.6 seconds left, then the Heat thought they fouled Cody Zeller in an effort to send him to the line as time was running out. Neither call came, and the Heat were left stunned.

Marvin Williams led the Hornets with 17 points, while Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker each had 14 for Charlotte — which got its first road playoff win in 14 years. Jeremy Lin added 11.

Wade scored 25 for Miami, while Luol Deng had 15, Joe Johnson added 13 and Hassan Whiteside finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Lee missed a layup with about a minute left, insisting he got fouled by Wade. But the Heat came up empty on the ensuing possession, and Lee got an offensive rebound and eventually scored on Charlotte’s next trip down the floor to cap the scoring.