Thunder Rally To Beat Clippers – NBA Roundup

UNDATED (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from another berth in the Western Conference finals. Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards are still alive in the NBA playoffs after dominating Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against Indiana.

In Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook hit three free throws with 6.4 seconds left before Reggie Jackson's steal secured the Thunder's 105-104 comeback win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Thunder closed on an 8-0 run over the final 50 seconds, with Kevin Durant hitting a 3-pointer and a layup before Westbrook put Oklahoma City ahead to stay.

Westbrook had assists on both of Durant's last-minute buckets and finished with 38 points. Durant shot just 6-for-22 from the field but contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

Blake Griffin had 24 points and 17 rebounds for the Clippers, who led 101-88 with 4:13 remaining.

Game 6 is Thursday in Los Angeles.

Marcin Gortat (MAHR'-chin GOHR'-taht) had 31 points and John Wall added 27 as the Wizards blasted the Pacers 102-79. Gortat also had 16 rebounds for Washington, which outrebounded the Pacers 62-23.

The game became a rout in the third quarter when the Wizards outscored the Pacers 31-14 and compiled an 18-4 rebounding advantage.

The Pacers also hurt themselves by shooting 39 percent and missing nine of their 22 free throws.

David West had 17 points and Paul George added 15 as the only Pacers in double figures.

Indiana can still wrap up the series and advantage to the Eastern Conference finals with a victory Thursday in Washington or Sunday at Indianapolis.

DETROIT (AP) — A person with knowledge of the details tells The Associated Press Stan Van Gundy has agreed to a $35-million, five-year contract to serve as the Pistons' coach and president of basketball operation. The hiring was first reported by ESPN.com.

The Pistons announced in April that they were not renewing Joe Dumars' contract, ending his 14-year run as president of basketball operations.

Van Gundy has a 371-208 career record with the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat.

NEW YORK (AP) — NBA owners met via conference call to discuss Donald Sterling's CNN interview and the plans to terminate his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Mike Bass said the advisory/finance committee reviewed the status of the charge for termination of the Clippers' ownership. The meeting came a day after Commissioner Adam Silver repeated his desire to force Sterling to sell quickly.

Sterling criticized Magic Johnson in the interview that aired Monday, his first public comments since Silver banned him for life and fined him $2.5 million for making racist comments. Silver apologized to Johnson in a statement, adding that owners were working "as expeditiously as possible" on the process for removal. Johnson has responded by saying Sterling is "living in the stone ages" in his attitudes about minorities.

Ousting Sterling requires a three-fourths vote of the board of governors.