Harden has 37 points, Rockets rout Thunder, Westbrook 118-87

Houston Rockets fans cheer before Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Semaj Christon (6) is fouled by Houston Rockets' Patrick Beverley, right, during the first half in Game 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) goes up for a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder's Enes Kanter defends during the first half in Game 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) goes up for a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder's Taj Gibson (22) defends during the first half in Game 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Enes Kanter (11) reaches for a rebound between Houston Rockets' Clint Capela (15) and Ryan Anderson (3) during the first half. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Houston Texans' J.J. Watt, left, and his girlfriend Kealia Ohai attend Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder's Taj Gibson (22) defends during the second half in Game 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Houston Rockets' James Harden yells after a Oklahoma City Thunder turnover during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) reacts after a Oklahoma City Thunder turnover as the Thunder's Russell Westbrook (0) walks down the court. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Houston Rockets' Trevor Ariza (1) battles Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook, left, and Jerami Grant (9) for a loose ball during the second half. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Houston Rockets' Montrezl Harrell (5) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder's Domantas Sabonis during the second half in Game 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook, right, leaves the court after losing to the Houston Rockets in Game 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

Houston Rockets' Clint Capela (15) dunks the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half in Game 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)

HOUSTON, Texas -- If you're viewing on our ABC13 news app, tap on the photo above to see more images.

James Harden scored 37 points to outshine Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets pulled away in the third quarter and coasted to a 118-87 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

The best-of-seven Western Conference series continues Wednesday night in Houston.

The third-seeded Rockets were up by 20 when Harden came off the bench with about seven minutes remaining. He went right to work - making two 3-pointers to power 10-0 run and push the lead to 110-80 with 4 1/2 minutes left. Harden, who along with Westbrook is a front-runner for MVP, went to the bench after that and both teams cleared their benches soon after that.

Westbrook had 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, but made just six of 23 shots and had nine turnovers for the sixth-seeded Thunder.

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