Thunder vs. Rockets: Score, Highlights, Reaction from 2017 Regular Season

Sunday's matchup between the Houston Rockets (51-22) and Oklahoma City Thunder (41-31) was billed as a showdown between league-leading MVP candidates James Harden and Russell Westbrook. 

However, the focus quickly shifted from a compelling one-on-one clash to a team-wide thrashing as the Rockets cruised to a 137-125 win at Toyota Center. 

The Rockets put on a masterclass in offensive execution all game long, and they collectively shot 63.3 percent from the field and 51.3 percent from three en route to capturing a 3-1 season series victory over the Thunder.

The Starters' Tas Melas explained the Rockets' spread pick-and-roll attack opened up the court in eye-popping ways: 

Harden was his usual, effective self with 22 points (8-of-15 shooting) and 12 assists, and he buried the Thunder for good with a long-distance trey at the third-quarter buzzer:

With a win in hand thanks to Harden's performance, the Rockets' Twitter account took a not-so-subtle shot at Westbrook: 

The real story, though, was the play of Houston's bench, as SB Nation's Mike Prada noted: 

Lou Williams was locked into a special zone all game long, and he poured in a team-high 31 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 7-of-8 from three, in 31 minutes off the bench. 

Sam Dekker, meanwhile, chipped in eight points—including a silky spin move through contact as the Rockets created separation during a 79-point first half, as the team's official Twitter account documented: 

Speaking of which, ESPN Stats & Info noted the Rockets' scoring explosion over the game's first 24 minutes was nearly unprecedented: 

Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon added 24 points apiece. Those figures jumped out, considering Oklahoma City's supporting cast couldn't offer Westbrook similar reinforcements. 

While Westbrook carded his 36th triple-double—five shy of Oscar Robertson's single-season record—with 39 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, the Thunder had just one other player (Enes Kanter) top 20 points on a night when they were outscored 60-33 from beyond the arc.   

That didn't cut it against the Rockets' cadre of scorching shooters. 

If there's good news for the Thunder, it's that they'll be right back at it Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks with a chance to put Sunday's defensive debacle in the rear-view mirror. 

For the Rockets, Monday will represent a day off as they hunker down and prepare to host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, in what could be a Western Conference Finals preview. 

Postgame Reaction

ESPN.com's Calvin Watkins and the Houston Chronicle's Brian T. Smith provided updates regarding Harden's wrist after he had his left hand wrapped heavily following a hard fall late in the fourth quarter: 

Back in the Thunder locker room, Westbrook discussed his friendship with Harden, as the Norman Transcript's Fred Katz documented: 

"

Russell Westbrook on his relationship with James Harden: pic.twitter.com/DfBYHLuDer

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) March 26, 2017"

As for Harden's final stat line, Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni came away impressed with the way his star player deferred. 

"He could've easily gotten 40 points," he said, per Smith. "He just plays the game the way it should be played."