At halftime of Monday night’s playoff game between the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, the game was about as tight as they come. Houston had a one-point lead, 50-49, and Minnesota was looking very much alive.
Then, James Harden and Co. exploded with 50 points — FIFTY POINTS!!! — in the third quarter to take a 31-point lead into the fourth.
Houston just went for 50 in a quarter and James Harden had 22 of them 😱😱#NBA #Rockets
— CODE Bet (@CodeBetAu) April 24, 2018
And they got to 50 in style, too, thanks to Eric Gordon.
Eric Gordon with the perfect end to a 50-point Quarter for the Rockets. pic.twitter.com/N7MW1hFeey
— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (IG:twdbk3) (@sluggahjells) April 24, 2018
It was very nearly a history-making achievement, as Houston fell just short of the all-time postseason record of 51 points, scored by the Los Angeles Lakers back in 1962 against the Detroit Pistons.
The Rockets' 50 3rd-quarter points are the 2nd-most in a quarter in NBA postseason history, behind the Lakers' 51 in 1962 against the Detroit Pistons.
In the 3rd quarter, Houston shot 61% overall and 69% on 3-pointers. pic.twitter.com/uefyyzJOwg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 24, 2018
It was truly remarkable how the Rockets flipped the switch. Twitter users all over the place chimed in on this, to nobody’s surprise.
Hooooolllld uuuuup just a second.
Did the Rockets score 50 points in a quarter?
— Currently Nameless (@Tashville401) April 24, 2018
Yeesh. The Rockets just stepped on Minnesota's throat. 50 points in the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/dKLSIl3wk9
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) April 24, 2018
The Rockets put up 50 in 3rd quarter pic.twitter.com/RLS8O2XYM6
— Hamidd (@hamidd03) April 24, 2018
50 point quarter for the Rockets…..Sheesh #nbaplayoffs #rockets #wolves @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/92IY86UgA3
— GQ (@gquaye) April 24, 2018
The Rockets just plain disrespectful with that 50 point quarter. Just done went to the Timberwolves house & 💩 in the middle of their living room.
— 1PrettyPearl (@1prettypearl) April 24, 2018
@NBAonTNT @HoustonRockets 50 in a quarter pic.twitter.com/RBaPknPBad
— Coach Cain LLC (@CoachCainInc) April 24, 2018
Rockets just dropped a 50 piece on the T’wolves. #HOUvsMIN pic.twitter.com/OIdXGONxJN
— Michael Velissaris (@MickVel12) April 24, 2018
Rockets just dropped a 50 piece in the 3rd!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QfBRXNtisr
— Justin Harrison (@jharrison_32) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/BobRathbunTV/status/988598027203043328
Needless to say, Houston has woken up in a big way. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the west.