The Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks spent all season earning home-court advantage in the playoffs, quickly lost it in the second round, and then regained it.
James Harden had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, Dwight Howard added 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Houston bounced back from two lopsided losses in the Western Conference semifinals.
James Harden and Dwight Howard delivered when it mattered most for the Houston Rockets, who averted playoff elimination with a 124-103 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference semi-finals on Tuesday.
James rediscovered his form, and the Cavaliers carved out a 3-2 lead in their grinding series against the Bulls.
Monty Williams had compiled a 173-221 record since 2010.
The Cleveland Cavaliers moved one win away from the Eastern Conference final after beating Chicago 106-101 in Game Five of their semi-final series on Tuesday.
LeBron James scored 38 points, Kyrie Irving added 25 and the Cleveland Cavaliers held on for a 106-101 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their testy Eastern Conference semifinal.
Kerr, Golden State’s coach, taught his players a lesson by making them watch their Game 3 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in its entirety.