Rockets, Spurs Win In NBA Playoffs

James Harden's message was simple and clear after the Houston Rockets' first playoff series victory since 2009.

"It's just the beginning," the bearded superstar said. "We've got bigger goals than this."

Harden scored 28 points, Terrence Jones had 10 of his 15 in the fourth quarter, and the Rockets beat the Dallas Mavericks 103-94 on Tuesday night to get out of the first round and exorcise any bad feelings that lingered from last year's opening-round loss to Portland.

Houston won the Western Conference series 4-1 to advance to face the winner of the Clippers-Spurs series in the second round.

"We've worked extremely hard through a lot of adversity through the season," said Dwight Howard, who missed half the season with injuries. "To make it to the next round is big, but the job is not complete."

The Rockets bounced back from a lackluster performance in a 121-109 loss in Game 4 to head to the West semifinals for the first time since Yao Ming starred for Houston.

Howard had 18 points and 19 rebounds to help the Rockets dominate inside and Josh Smith scored 20 points. The Mavericks couldn't get going from long-range, going just 5 of 26 on 3-pointers.

Spurs 111, Clippers 107

LOS ANGELES -- The ball bounced delicately around the rim, and the pivotal fifth game of a thrilling first-round series teetered along with it. DeAndre Jordan leaped up and tapped it in -- an instant too early.

The San Antonio Spurs got the biggest bounce in a game full of them, and the champs landed on the brink of the second round. Tim Duncan scored 21 points before Jordan was called for basket interference with 4.3 seconds left, and the Spurs hung on for a 111-107 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5 on Tuesday night, taking a 3-2 series lead.

San Antonio earned the chance to close it out at home on Thursday night, but only after its lead dwindled to 108-107 in the frantic final minute at Staples Center.

Tuesday, April 27 Scoreboard

Houston 103, Dallas 94

San Antonio 111, Los Angeles 107

Wednesday, April 28 Schedule (All Times Central)

Brooklyn at Atlanta, 6 p.m.
EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 5

Portland at Memphis, 8:30 p.m.
WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 5

Thursday, April 30 (All Times Central)

Chicago at Milwaukee, 6 p.m.
EASTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 6

Los Angeles at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
WESTERN CONFERENCE 1ST ROUND - GAME 6