Thorpe Helps Rockets Find Groove, 97-79

The Houston Rockets rediscovered their defense and Otis Thorpe regained his shooting touch, and the result was a 97-79 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics Saturday night in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

The loss left the SuperSonics with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, with Game 4 tonight at Houston.

Thorpe, criticized for his play during the first two games, made 12 of 14 shots, scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

“I wanted to be very visible; that was the main thing,” Thorpe said. “I’d heard some talk that I’d disappeared and I wanted to show up good tonight.”

Thorpe, who made one of six shots and scored four points in Wednesday night’s 111-100 loss, scored 10 points in the second quarter of Game 3, including eight during an 18-5 run in the final five minutes. Matt Bullard capped the burst with a three-point basket in the final second, giving Houston a 49-34 halftime lead.

The Rockets, who ranked third in the NBA in defense, held the SuperSonics to 13 points during the third quarter. Seattle made only 26% of its shots in the quarter and 39.5% overall.

Hakeem Olajuwon, honored before the game as the NBA’s defensive player of the year, had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets. Robert Horry and Kenny Smith each had 11 points.

Thorpe’s 28 points marked a career playoff high.

The SuperSonics, who did not have a player in double figures until the third quarter, were led by Shawn Kemp with 12 points.