The Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder locked horns in Game 5 of this first-round series after a 3-day hiatus from playoff games. Expectations were high for the game and they lived up to the hype. Things definitely turned interesting during the third quarter as both P. J. Tucker and Dennis Schroder were ejected from the game in the third quarter.
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Schroder picked up a flagrant two foul after a below the belt hit on Tucker. On the other hand, Tucker head-butted Schroder, which led to his ejection from the game.
Schroder was the only player who provided some offense to OKC. But with him being out of the game, things went south pretty quickly for the Thunder. Moreover, the Rockets demolished OKC in the third quarter. They outscored them 37-18 in the quarter and took an 85-63 lead in the game.
Ultimately, OKC couldn’t come back from this disastrous quarter and the Rockets dominated them for a 114-80 win.
PJ Tucker got into Dennis Schroder's face 😳 pic.twitter.com/fe4My9eKWG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 30, 2020
Twitter Reacts to the double ejection of Tucker and Schroder
The double ejection is not a thing fans get to witness every day in the NBA. Basketball enthusiasts were quick to react on this call by the officials.
That is absolutely ridiculous that Dennis Schroder just got ejected for that
— The Chirp (@TheChirpSports) August 30, 2020
The ref was like … PJ tucker, dennis Schroder #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/1sAESw4zZd
— TheBrownMamba (@JRod_1712) August 30, 2020
First time I’ve seen the reverse head-butt. To be fair, P.J. Tucker was responding to Dennis Schroder going a little below the belt seconds earlier. #BubbleButting pic.twitter.com/0UdxcAMUxT
— Christopher Gabriel (@CGProgram) August 30, 2020
Dennis Schroeder on PJ Tucker pic.twitter.com/1DzGrTxo21
— Devine Sports Gospel (@DevineGospel) August 30, 2020
There is an ongoing debate on Twitter about whether the foul was unintentional. Whatever be the case, it cost OKC the game and they will look to bounce back in Game 6 of the series. While Harden had yet another amazing performance for the Rockets, Russell Westbrook, who played for the first time in the series, struggled from the field.
However, Westbrook’s teammates handled the game pretty well. If Houston keeps up this performance, Brodie will have more time to recover. Eventually, the Rockets will need Westbrook’s contribution, but right now he can focus on resting well for the next game.
On the contrary, the Thunder need to regroup and leave the game behind their backs. Coach Billy Donovan and his veterans need to prepare the young players on the team for Game 6. Another concern for OKC was Luguentz Dert’s cold shooting night. The 21-year-old shot an abysmal 18.8% from the field.
The Houston Rockets can close out the series in Game 6 unless OKC pulls a rabbit out of their hat.
